With 25 points and a personal ACB record for this season of 6/9 on three pointers “La Bomba” Navarro was the star of the game, which saw Barça take a 14 point lead into half time and then take their foot off the gas a little in the third and fourth quarters, as the local’s pride also lifted their game to reduce the final difference to just 8 points.

The win was never in doubt though, despite Alacant’s fightback and Regal have now won 27 ACB games this season.

Quick start from hosts

Meridiano Alacant needed the win as they fight to avoid relegation and the home crowd got right behind them as they took an early 6-0 lead, with the Lithuanian Martynas Andriuskevicius dominating the interior game. However, Barça soon imposed themselves and Navarro’s 8 points in the first quarter helped them to a 13-20 lead, which they easily stretched in the second quarter to go in at the break completely in charge, 29-43 up.

Navarro puts a stop to fightback

Navarro’s fourth three pointer of the night took Regal to a massive 31-50 lead in the third quarter, which seemed to wake up the home team’s pride. Hasbrouck, Heurtel and Doellman dragged their team back into the game and a three pointer brought them to within a point of the ACB leaders, 59-60.

Barça now tightened up their defence and Navarro bagged two more three pointers to stretch the lead to 10 points again whislt the tiring home team were unable to take advantage of their possession, losing 76-84 in the end.

Despite the defeat, Meridiano Alacant avoid relegation, as Manresa’s win over Estudiantes sent Mallorca down with Granada to the second division.