The Euroleague season for FC Barcelona came to an end in Monaco as Xavi Pascual's team went down to a 79-70 defeat against the home side. Barça were under the cosh after a poor first quarter and despite a rally after the half time break, the blaugranes were unable to turn things around.
Hurricane start
Barça were under pressure right from the off at Monaco and a run of eight straight points gave the home side an early 17-9 lead in the first quarter. Clyburn scored 7 of those points for the blaugranes but he could do nothing to stop the home side taking a 26-14 lead into the second period.
Tarpey caused untold problems for the Barça defense and at one point Monaco led by 17 points. Barça fought back and at half time they had reduced the deficit to 49-35.
Culer reaction
In a low scoring third quarter the blaugranes limited Monaco to just nine points. Punter and Shengalia combined to reduce the lead even further and the game was still up in the air going into the fourth quarter with Barça just five points behind at 58-53.
The final quarter saw the game see saw both ways with Juani Marcos helping to keep Barça in the game. However, time ran out for Xavi Pascual's team as Monaco shepherded their lead to the final hooter to take their place in the play offs and leave Barça to look forward to a return to European competition next season.
MATCH STATS
MOnaco, 79
Barça, 70
MOnaco: Blossomgame (11), Theis (16), Diallo (9), Strazel (6), James (13) - starting five – Okobo (14), Hayes (-), Tarpey (7), Begarin (3)
Barça: Punter (5), Vesely (12), Satoransky (-), Clyburn (16), Shengelia (14) - starting five – Juani Marcos (5), Cale (-), Norris (-), Brizuela (10), W. Hernangómez (2), Fall (4), Parra (2)
Quarters: 26-14, 23-21 // 9-18, 21-17