The FC Barcelona basketball team’s Euroleague season continues after a win for Xavi Pascual’s team over Serbian rivals Crvena zvezda at the Palau Blaugrana on Tuesday. The 80-72 win mean that Barça will now face Monaco in the final round of the play-in stage with a place in the play offs up for grabs.
A brilliant first half from the blaugranes set the foundation for the win with Clyburn and Punter top scoring with 22 points each.
The game could not have started better for the home side as they raced into a 20-11 lead in the first quarter. Seven from nine three pointers set the tone with Clyburn leading the way to a 29-21 lead at end of the first quarter. In the second period Barça maintained the pressure and points from Willy Hernangómez, Punter and Clyburn took their advantage to 47-33 at half time.
In the second half there was no let up from the home team and at one point the lead stretched to 22 points at 60-38. At the end of the third quarter the Serbians fought back to bring the difference to just 12 at 63-51 going into the final period.
Crvena zvezda continued to cut the lead in the fourth quarter coming to within seven at 75-68. However, Barça kept their nerve to hold on for a 80-72 win that means they will face Monaco on Friday in the Principality for a place in the play offs.
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MATCH STATS
BARÇA, 80
CRVENA ZVEZDA, 72
Barça: Satoransky, Punter, Clyburn, Vesely, Shengelia -starting five- Juani Marcos, Norris, Brizuela, Willy Hernangómez, Fall, Parra.
Crvena zvezda: Miller-McIntyre, Kalinic, Bolomboy, Nwora, Moneke -starting five- Butler, Carter, Rivero, Izundu, Ojeleye.
Quarters: 29-21, 47-33, 63-51, 80-72.