Credit: AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire - Scanpix
Credit AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire - Scanpix

Valencia Basket (6-4) handed FC Barcelona (9-1) their first loss at the Spanish Liga ACB, winning in Barcelona 87-79 (19-21, 16-17, 28-25, 24-16).

The game was tight throughout three quarters, resulting in 12 lead changes. Barcelona had the biggest lead at seven in the middle of the third period (54-47), but Valencia responded with a 10-0 run and the match was tied at 63 going into the fourth.

They carried over the momentum to the final period, starting off with a 14-2 spurt to gain a 12-point lead (77-65). Nikola Mirotic's 3-pointer cut Barca's deficit to six with under two minutes remaining, but Valencia held on, winning by eight.

Jasiel Rivero was spectacular for Valencia, finishing with 18 points (7/8 2PT, 4/8 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 25 PIR. He scored 9 points in the fourth quarter alone.

Nikola Mirotic led Barcelona with 22 points (3/4 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 7/8 FT), 2 rebounds, and 22 PIR.

Valencia: Jasiel Rivero 18 (7 REB), Xabier Lopez-Arostegui 17, Bojan Dubljevic 15 (5 REB, 4 AST), Klemen Prepelic 11 (5 AST), Josep Puerto 10.

Barcelona: Nikola Mirotic 22, Nicolas Laprovittola 13, Nick Calathes 12 (7 AST), Brandon Davies 12 (5 REB, 5 AST), Kyle Kuric 11.

Comments:
We want to hear from you. Be the first to comment!
Thank you for reporting a comment

Add comment

We have the right to remove comments which are offensive, contains abusive language, or violates other rules of the website