They had to battle but the FC Barcelona basketball team took an important 97-91 win over Unicaja in the ACB League. The blaugranes were consistent with their three pointers with Vesely and Brizuela in excellent form to help Xavi Pascual's team to their third win of the week in all competitions. 

Tight contest 

The two teams both started brightly but it was the blaugranes who moved into the lead in the first quarter thanks to Norris and then Punter's ability to nail three pointers. At 20-10 in front, the home side allowed Unicaja to rally to pull it back to 22-17 at the end of the first quarter. 

The second period saw Xavi Pascual's team retain their advantage, stretching it to 16 points at 38-22 with Unicaja seemingly all at sea. However, the visitors pulled themselves together again to end the half at 47-41 down. 

In the second half the blaugranes were unable to build a lead that could allow them to relax. An 11 point lead was once again pegged back to five at 74-69 as the team went into the final quarter. Unicaja brought it level at 77-77 but once again Brizuela's class told out and eight unanswered points swung the game in the home side's favour. With the crowd behind them Xavi Pascual's team closed out a 97-91 win to end a great week for the basketball team. 

MATCH STATS 

BARÇA, 97 

UNICAJA, 91 

Barça: Punter (11), Juani Marcos (5), Norris (10), Willy H. (4), Parra (8) - starting five – Vesely (18), Brizuela (17), Satoransky (8), Clyburn (10), Shengelia (6),  

Unicaja: Balcerowski (18), Kalinoski (8), Barreiro (-), Tillie (5), Perry (10) - starting five – Audige (-), Díaz (7), Djedovic (13), Sulejmanovic (19), Duarte (11) 

Quarters: 22-17, 25-24 // 27-28, 23-22 

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