By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Baskonia was saved by Shane Larkin in the final seconds and beat CSKA Moscow in Vitoria 79-78, forcing the Russians to a 19-7 record while at the same time improving to 15-11.
Adam Hanga led the winners with 15 points, Larkin scored 12, while Kim Tillie added 11.
Nando De Colo’s 22 points as well as Milos Teodosic’s 19 weren’t enough to keep the visitors alive in the end.
In a rather slow paced first quarter, Baskonia kept brief leads, with CSKA grabbing its first lead at 7′, 10-12 with a shot by Teodosic. The hosts kept a brief 18-14 lead at 10′.
With tight defense from both sides, the second period was also reserved in terms of scoring. The Russians expanded their advantage to 5 points, 28-33, then Voigtmann (10 p.) sent Baskonia to the lockers with a 34-33 lead.
Two decisive plays by Jaka Blazic paced the hosts towards the end of the third period, while they gained a 61-54 lead at 30′.
De Colo fired up shots for the visitors, reducing CSKA’s deficit to 2 points, then Khryapa made it a 1-point game at 36′, 67-66. Soon, the hosts expanded again. Augustine placed the Russian team ahead with 40 seconds to go, 77-78, then the answer came from Larkin!