Defeat at the Palau Blaugrana (87-90), as Barça couldn’t get the win to seal a place in the ACB semifinals, with the third game in Murcia now set to decide. Trailing in the early part of the game, the blaugranes came back, but fell short of winning this even game despite the best efforts of Shengelia and Punter in particular.
Trailing from the outset
The side from Murcia started out more aggressively and proved more clinical. With a 50% triple efficiency, they were 5-11 up after four minutes. It was set to be a tough game, but the blaugranes managed to bring it to 29-29 after 15 minutes, crowned by a triple from Parra. The visitors then stepped up in attack to go +7 (32-39, min 17), but a block by Clyburn and baskets from Punter helped take the score to 40-43 at the break.
Palau gets involved…
Barça finally went ahead soon after the restart, going 44-43 after 21 minutes. The Palau Blaugrana roared and even more so after a triple and basket from a lively Clyburn and two from Shengelia made it 51-46 (min 23). Xavi Pascual’s side had definitely turned the tables on UCAM Murcia, who had to fire in triples to contain the blaugranes. Ultimately it was 66-67 going into the fourth with all to play for.
Barça began the final quarter more erratically and UCAM made the most of the opportunity to go 68-73 (min 32). Each basket was vital at this point and Brizuela brought it to 77-78 (min 36), but it was back to 79-84 a minute later. The blaugranes still had something to say in this game though.
…and witnesses a tense finale
Shengelia, Vesely and Punter turned around the scoreline to 85-84 with two minutes left, with the Palau Blaugrana fully behind them, with many protesting about referring decisions. With just 13.3 seconds left and Barça in possession, it was 87-90. The blaugranes had two shots at triples to tie, but it wasn’t to be and the visitors took the victory.
The series now goes back to the Palacio de Deportes in Murcia, as FC Barcelona will have to win there again on 6 June from 9.00pm CEST to qualify for the ACB semifinals.
GAME STATS
Barça 87
UCAM Murcia 90
Barça: Clyburn (8), Fall (8), Punter (15), Shengelia (18) y Marcos (3) – starting five – Vesely (10), Satoransky (5), Parra (11), Brizuela (7), Cale (-), Hernangómez (2) and Laprovittola (-)
UCAM Murcia: Raieste (5), DeJulius (22), Radebaugh (11), Cate (2) y Nakic (9) – starting five – Forrest (11), Cacok (8), Falk (4), Martin (18) and Hands (-)
Quarters: 18-22; 22-21 // 26-24; 21-23
Referees: Fernando Calatrava, Rafael Serrano and Alberto Baena
