By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
It wasn’t easy, and it’s obvious from the final score.
Still, Barcelona prevailed 91-87 over Virtus Segafredo Bologna and finished 5th in the final standings of the regular season.
Kevin Punter, with 20 points and just two missed shots, was the star of the show, and five more players scored in double digits.
Jan Vesely also returned to action and had nine points and seven rebounds.
As coach Joan Peñarroya said after the game: “It’s a day to be proud, to give the credit that this team, in which very few people believed, finished fifth. I’m very happy for the players, the staff, and the few who believed in this team.”
Virtus playing just for pride pushed until the end with Toko Shengelia scoring 17 points, Justin Holiday added 16 points and Will Clyburn added 15.
However, the Italians closed the season with a 9-24 record, second to last in the final standings.
Decided on the last seconds
Barcelona closed the first period the right way, building a 23-16 advantage after a three by Punter. After five unanswered points in the second quarter, the hosts were up by 12 (28-16).
Barcelona kept the lead at half time (45-38), however Virtus didn’t back down and trimmed it to six points (71-65) at the end of the third.
With an 11-4 run in the start of the fourth quarter, the Italians suddenly got the lead (76-75) and the game totally changed.
Thanks to Jabari Parker, Barcelona entered the last two and a half minutes with the advantage (84-83).
With the game on the line, Isaia Cordinier put Virtus up by two (87-85), but what followed was six straight points by the hosts, who got the 91-87 win.
Photo credit: EuroLeague