Unicaja 97-101 Barça: Valuable away win in game one
The Palau Blaugrana will see game two on Friday with the chance for Barça to seal victory in the tie after their overtime win on Tuesday 101-97 at Unicaja Málaga. A win in front of their own fans would put Joan Peñarroya's team through to the semi-finals of the ACB league play offs.
Game one in Málaga was an intense affair with two free throws from Anderson in the final seconds taking the game into overtime at 85-85.
Unicaja comeback after Barça start well
The contest was a high quality one from the off. Barça dominated early on and were soon 11-2 up in the first period. Nevertheless, urged on by a partisan crowd, Unicaja surged back into the game with a run of points that left them 21-16 ahead going into the second period.
With the home side 10 points up in the second quarter, Barça bounced back and by half time the deficit was reduced to nine at 46-37.
Third quarter blaugrana
Barça narrowed the gap in the third period to 51-47 before the home side stretched ahead again. However, the blaugranes did not give up and a run of 11-1 saw Peñarroya's team go into the final period 62-60 ahead.
It was neck and neck for most of the fourth period until Unicaja took the lead at 80-74 with just three minutes remaining. Barça defended for their lives and in a nail biting few minutes Anderson's two free throws took the game into overtime at 85-85.
Palau will decide
Barça took their momentum into overtime and Punter and Anderson proved to be crucial in taking a 101-97 win and setting up a chance to seal the tie at home on Friday.
MATCH STATS
UNICAJA, 97
BARÇA, 101
Unicaja: Osetkowski, Taylor, Díaz, Carter, Sima -starting five- Pérez, Djedovic, Perry, Kalinoski, Ejim, Tillie, Kravish.
Barça: Punter, Anderson, Satoransky, Fall, Parker -starting five- Brizuela, Willy Hernangómez, Abrines, Parra, Villar.