Not the best of days for the Barça basketball team as they went down to a 92-79 defeat away at Monaco in the quarter-finals of the Euroleague play offs. Joan Peñarroya's team now trail 2-0 in the tie and will need to win both games in Barcelona, starting on Wednesday, to keep alive their chances of making the final four.
Monaco on top
Despite taking the lead early in the game, Barça were always on the back foot in the second game of their play off against Monaco. The home side rallied after their below par start to take a 26-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second period Monaco moved 10 points clear at 29-19 before Barça fought back to cut the deficit. Nevertheless, a late surge from the home side saw them take a 49-40 lead in at the break.
Poor third quarter for Barça
Barça needed to react in the third quarter but it was Monaco who took a step forward. By the end of the period, Jaiteh had notched up 20 points to help the home side to a 80-64 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The difference was too great for the blaugranes and an 92-79 defeat leaves them with it all to do and more in the next two games at the Palau Blaugrana.
MATCH STATS
Monaco, 92
Barça, 79
Monaco: Okobo (11), James (5), Blossomgame (2), Diallo (21), Theis (4) - starting five - Jaiteh (20), Loyd (13), Strazel (12), Blossomgame (2), Tarpey (2).
Barça: Satoransky (9), Punter (14), Parker (16), Vesely (2) - starting five - Brizuela (11), Hernangómez (11), Parra (9), Anderson (4), Abrines (3), Villar (2), Grujicic (1), Fall (-)
