The Barça basketball team celebrated their first win in the ACB league under new coach Xavi Pascual. The blaugranes ran out 72-61 victors in a game that was not decided until the fourth quarter. Patient in attack and strong on defense, Laprovittola and Shengelia added 14 points each with Punter contributing 13. 

Exchange of blows 

Despite their improvement in defense, the blaugranes were down 17-14 after 10 minutes in the Canary Islands. However, a basket from Joel Parra brought Barça back to life and into the lead at 19-17. A tight first half ended with Barça taking a 32-29 lead into the second quarter thanks to a dunk from Shengelia. 

In the second half the game continued to flow one way and then another. Two free throws from Mike Tobey allowed Gran Canaria to end the third quarter on level terms at 46-46. 

The fourth quarter turned out to be decisive with Laprovittola leading Barça into the lead at 54-48. Xavi Pascual's team showed their defensive strength to hold the home side to just 15 points in the final period and Barça's offense did the rest allowing them to close out a 72-61 win for a first victory in the league for the new coach. 

MATCH STATS

DREAMLAND GRAN CANARIA, 61

BARÇA, 72

Gran Canaria: Albicy, Wong, Brussino, Labeyrie, Tobey -starting five- Maniema, Samar, Salvó, Pelos, Kuath, Angola.

Barça: Satoransky, Punter, Clyburn, Shengelia, Vesely -starting five- Juani Marcos, Cale, Brizuela, Hernangómez, Laprovittola, Parra.

 

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