Unicaja Málaga 97-95 Barça: Tough farewell

The Liga ACB season is over for FC Barcelona after this 97-95 loss to Unicaja Màlaga. Punter led the charge with 37 points, and a prolific third quarter looked to have provided hope of qualifying, but a +10 lead evaporated in the final quarter and ultimately this loss in overtime concludes the 24/25 campaign.

A nervy start to the game saw Unicaja and FC Barcelona both scorin,g but the home side spent more time ahead on the scoreboard. Kevin Punter was the standout player for the blaugranes in the first quarter, which ended 24-18. 

Punter and Abrines lead the way

The Unicaja lead stretched at the start of the second to +9, but Punter and Abrines stepped up, especially when the former sunk a triple, the guard helping bring the score level to 38-38 (min 17), ably supported by good blaugrana defence. 43-42 at halftime. 

Prolific third quarter

Things took off for the blaugranes in the third, when they achieved their biggest lead of the game so far at +9. The home crowd noise was growing louder, but four points by Fall took the lead to +11 (53-64, min 29), a healthy advantage with the final quarter to come.

Lead evaporates and overtime forced

The home side were feeding off their fans' energy, but Punter showed his mettle time and time again to keep Unicaja at bay. The lead was a constant +10, thanks to triples by Parra and Abrines 70-80, but the Malaga side did end up coming back to tie at 84-84 with just seven seconds to go and overtime ensued.

Unicaja started overtime very well going up 90-84, but Barça showed courage to tie again, and it was the man again, Kevin Punter, with eight consecutive points from just two plays (92-94). However, despite fighting to the end, this final game of series was lost and the season concluded.

GAME STATS

Unicaja 97
Barça 95

Unicaja: Ejim (8), Barreiro (-), Carter (8), Kravish (6) y Perry (16) - starting five - Pérez (11), Balcerowski (7), Kalinsoki (8), Díaz (10), Djedovic (5), Osetkowski (2) and Taylor (16)
Barça: Punter (37), Satoransky (4), Parker (8), Anderson (13) y Hernagómez (6) - starting five - Parra (3), Villar (-), Abrines (13), Fall (6) and Brizuela (5)

Quarters: 24-18; 19-24 // 12-22; 29-20 // 13-11

Referees: Antonio Conde, Jordi Aliaga and Martín Caballero