Fenerbahce 74 - 76 Barça: Mirotic maintains the unbeaten record

Barça's basketball team remain unbeaten in the EuroLeague. Sarunas Jasikevicius' team earned a valuable win against Fenerbahce in the Ülker Sports Arena in Istanbul, their sixth in seven games. They had to overcome the Turkish team - previously unbeaten at home - and a poor start before going on to win. A last gasp basket by Mirotic broke the deadlock that ran throughout virtually the entire game.

Higgins (18) and Davies (16) scored the most points in a hard fought game, but Barça were able to use their nous to see out a prestigious win.

Quickly rectified

The game began badly in Turkey, with Barça scoring only 1 of 10 attempts, allowing Fenerbahce to take advantage - Vesely in particular, who scored 10 consecutive points from the off (10-2, 4th minute). Although the home side remained in the groove, Barça improved both offensively and defensively, with five consecutive baskets by Calathes making it 27-25 by the 16th minute, before Davies put Barça ahead for the first time with two baskets, and the visitors went in at the break with a modest lead of 29-35.

Error strewn restart

Both sides looked uneasy after break, making many errors, partly due to the increased intensity. A triple by Mirotic made it 31-39 (22nd minute), but Fenerbahce clawed back the advantage to go one point ahead again, before Smits had the final say of the third quarter, leaving the visitors one point ahead (48-49, 30th minute).

Mirotic tips the balance

The uncertainty continued as the scores remained close and either side could have gone on to win. A couple of three-pointers by Higgins seemed to have created breathing space for Jasikevicius' side, but Fenerbahce again reacted well and the score was 69-70 going into the final minute.

The end of the game saw many stoppages and not much play. Four consecutive free throws by Hayes-Davis and Mirotic seemed to have put Barça in the driving seat with the score 69-74, but Booker looked to have forced overtime with six seconds to go, making it 74-74. However, Mirotic did what Mirotic does, scoring a buzzer-beater, and Barça returned home with another EuroLeague victory (74-76).

GAME STATS

Fenerbahce, 74
Barça, 76

Fenerbahce: Henry (3), Guduric (17), Pierre (7), Vesely (24), Booker (8) - starters - De Colo (4), Polonara (4), Hazer (5), Shayok (2), Duverioglu (-), Birsen (-).

Barça: Higgins (18), Calathes (11), Kuric (5), Mirotic (8), Sanli (-) - starters - Davies (16), Smits (8), Sergi Martínez (-), Hayes-Davis (6), Laprovittola (4), Jokubaitis (-). 

Interim scores: 20-15, 9-20 (29-35), 19-14 (48-49), 26-27 (74-76). 

Referees: Lottermoser, Hordov, Petek.