By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
BAXI Manresa was going through the toughest stretch of the season under head coach Diego Ocampo, losing in the latest ACB game against Gran Canaria and coming off three straight losses in the BCL.
Hosting Pallacanestro Reggiana in Pavelló Nou Congost on Tuesday night, the Catalans needed a victory not only to interrupt their three-game losing streak but for a bigger goal.
Only by beating Reggiana, they would have stayed alive in the race for a spot in the Quarter-Finals. Showing solid mental strength, they bounced back and won 96-90 over the Italians.
Derrick Alston Jr. was on a roll to drag the team at home, going close to his best scoring performance in the BCL by getting 29 points. Alex Reyes followed his teammate with 15 points and 5 rebounds.
The team’s captain Michele Vitali surprised everybody with a team-high 19 points over 5/6 from three. Growing up his shooting volume, Jaylen Barford got 17 points in Reggiana’s tight loss.
In the other matchup of the week in Group K, the already-qualified and two-time champions La Laguna Tenerife will travel to Aliaga to face Petkimspor, in search of what looks like a miracle win.
Post-game press conference:
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League