FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.11.2009 20:00

Defences on top (57-63)

Verònica Díez

In a game dominated by defence, Barca broke their three-season run of defeats in Malaga with a 57-63 win over Unicaja that was decided by a thrilling final quarter.

Xavi Pascual's men had to fight hard for their win in a game taht was full of defensive toughness and in which both teams held the lead. Juan Carlos Navarro with 18 points was the team's leading scorer with 18 points and Frazer Lorbek the most valuable player on 21.

Good start

It was a great start to the game from Barca with Navarro ruthless with his three pointers, but Unicaja were able to put a brake on the visitors attacking options until Grimau was brought on to stop the home teams scoring and Barca went in 13-18 at the break.

Unicaja fightbacks

A Pete Mickeal free throw made it 21-30 for the visitors in the second quarter before Unicaja fought back to leave it 27-30 at half time and Wesch brought them level with the first play of the third quarter(30-30). Right points without reply from Regal, led by Boniface Ndong, made it 30-38, then Unicaja again clawed their way back into the game closing out the third quarter at 37-40

Home crowd hopes grow

The defences were again u¡in charge for the last 10 minutes and although Víctor Sada grabbed a three pointer early on to make it 37 – 45, Malaga's Jimenez gave the home crowd hope when he scored to bring the scores to 46-47. Lorbeck then stepped up and took Barca to 46-57 with 5 minutes left to play. It was a nail biting finish as Malaga pushed for another comeback, but Barca showed great intelligence to hold onto their lead and take the win.