FC Barcelona Lassa v Tecnyconta Zaragoza: Rice three pointer seals win (91-88)

FC Barcelona Lassa v Tecnyconta Zaragoza: Rice three pointer seals win (91-88)

The North American last-minute heroics secured victory for the blaugranas in an enthralling game

Barça Lassa clinched victory in the final seconds of an incredible game against Tecnyconta Zaragoza. Rice was the hero as he scored a match-winning three pointer in the final move of the game. The victory was based on a fantastic attack in which Rice (17 points), Vezenkov (21) and Perperoglou (17) starred. Navarro was a last-minute absence was softened as Oleson and Renfroe returned to the fold. Bartzokas’ team secured their sixth home win in a row giving them 18 ACB victories overall and leaving them near the top of the table.

The Palau Blaugrana experienced an intense game from the beginning with both teams exchanging baskets following two three pointers from Rice and Perperoglou. These two players, with seven points each, led the charge for Barça Lassa in the first quarter which ended with the home side leading by one (21-20). Five consecutive Renfroe points got the Catalans off to a great start in the second quarter and they had established a ten-point lead by the 14th minute.

Zaragoza’s Benzing responded for the visitors with four of his twelve first-half points leaving his side only one point behind Barça by the 17th minute (37-36). Nevertheless, the blaugranas’ potent attack, with Vezenkov contributing eleven points in the second quarter alone, helped give them a comfortable six-point lead by the end of the half (46-40).

Thrilling finale

Zaragoza started the third quarter with three consecutive three pointers and they levelled the scores at 53-53. They were unable to maintain their fast start and Barça responded with some more scintillating attacking play. A Diagné smash and seven Koponen points gave their team a seemingly comfortable eight-point lead by the end of the third quarter but a last-second Jelovac three pointer cut Barça’s lead down to five (72-67).

The Jelovac score gave Zaragoza renewed belief and they started the final quarter with intent. Bellas levelled the scores with a three pointer but Barça responded immediately through five consecutive Perperoglou points and a three pointer each from Vezenkov and Rice. This left Barça five points up with three minutes to play (85-80). However, the game was by no means over. Another Bellas three pointer and a Jelovac basket levelled the scores again. At this point, Tyrese Rice scored the crucial three pointer with nine seconds left on the clock which secured victory for his side (91-88).

Força Barça
Força Barça

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