The Barça basketball recorded an epic win over Baskonia by 134-124 in the Palau Blaugrana on Friday after no less then three overtime periods in the Euroleague. The team showed great character and commitment under coach Xavi Pascual after the visitors began the contest the better. Furthermore, the blaugranes had to overcome the loss of Clyburn at a crucial moment to go to victory in the highest scoring game in the competition's history. 

Come from behind 

Barça began the game with the Palau behind them but Baskonia soon took the initiative. The visitors made the most of blaugrana mistakes and were soon ahead at 7-2 in the first period. Punter and Sayon Keita brought points and intensity respectively for Barça but that in itself was not enough to prevent Baskonia taking a 26-17 lead going into the second quarter. 

The visitors maintained their form early in the second quarter with Howard racking up the three pointers. For Barça Clyburn and Laporvittola rallied the offence and as half time approached Xavi Pascual's team could feel themselves getting a foothold in the game as the teams went in at the break with Baskonia leading 53-47. 

Extraordinary finish 

In the second half Barça kept on an upward trajectory with Satoransky and Punter outstanding and the defense holding its own. The loss of Clyburn was a blow but the blaugranes picked themselves up to outscore Baskonia 23-22 and trail by five at 75-70 going into the final quarter. 

In the fourth quarter Xavi Pascual's team appeared on the verge of a comeback victory after surging ahead in the final moment at 97-94 but Howard's three pointer and Laprovittola's missed final shot sent the game into overtime at 97-97. 

The sides continued to exchange points at will and the first two periods of overtime failed to produce a winner. Punter's points had kept Barça alive in overtime and his contribution in the final stretch led to a personal total of 43 points, the fourth highest ever in a single game in the Euroleague. 

The blaugranes finally imposed themselves in the final overtime period and the 134-124 win will be remembered for a long time by European basketball fans as the biggest points haul ever in a Euroleague game. 

 

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    MATCH STATS

    BARÇA, 134
    BASKONIA, 124

    Barça: Punter (43), Norris (5), Satorasnky (23), Hernangomez (12), Clyburn (12) - starting five - Marcos (-), Cale (5), Brizuela (11), Fall (-), Laprovittola (7), Keita (9), Parra (7)

    Baskonia: Howard (33), Kurucs (9), Forrest (9) Radzevicius (3), Diop (14) - starting five - Diakite (14), Simmons (4), Omoruyi (5), Luwawu Cabarrot (26), Spagnolo (-), Frisch (7)

     

    Força Barça