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Diario Euskadi

Surne Bilbao Fails to Control Chaos, Falls to Manresa in Miribilla

The home team lost 80-84 against Baxi Manresa, complicating their play-off aspirations and leaving them with poor momentum for the FIBA Europe Cup final.

Basketball on a court, with a blurred hoop in the background.
IA

Basketball on a court, with a blurred hoop in the background.

Surne Bilbao Basket was unable to control the chaotic game against Baxi Manresa in Miribilla, suffering an 80-84 defeat that significantly complicates their play-off aspirations and leaves them with negative feelings ahead of the FIBA Europe Cup final.

In a chaotic match where Baxi Manresa and the refereeing trio heightened tensions, the home team failed to take control of the situation. The Catalan team fueled the intensity with their speed and constant contact, while the referees struggled to maintain consistent officiating, overlooking fouls on one end of the court while calling them on the other.
Despite fighting until the end, the black-clad players could not stay afloat. They had two potential game-winning three-pointers in the final minute, with the score at 80-81 and 80-82, but Harald Frey, the local team's top scorer with 20 points, and Justin Jaworski missed their shots. The team trailed for most of the game, lacking the consistency needed to impose their style of play.
The absence of the injured Darrun Hilliard and the ejection of Bassala Bagayoko in the final quarter, following an unsportsmanlike foul and a subsequent technical, significantly impacted the home team's performance. The disarray of the game, turnovers, and numerous missed shots near the basket (a poor 45% on two-point attempts) were decisive factors. The limited contribution from the shooting guard position, particularly noticeable due to Hilliard's absence, was evident in Jaworski and Margiris Normantas's combined 3-for-21 shooting from the field.
Conversely, for the Manresa team, former Bilbao Basket players Álex Reyes and Agustín Ubal stood out with 15 and 14 points respectively, supported by Eli Brooks and Pierre Oriola. The Bizkaia team had a sluggish start, committing seven turnovers in the first five minutes. However, Manresa also failed to build a significant lead, allowing Bilbao Basket to tie the score with free throws.
The game's dynamic remained consistent until the very end. Manresa threatened to pull away (63-71 with seven minutes remaining), but Frey served as the team's lifeline. The Norwegian's points and a three-pointer from Pantzar once again tightened the score. Despite the referees' continued controversial calls, another long-range shot from Jaworski set up a thrilling finish, but the local team's lack of accuracy in crucial moments prevented a victory. With the score at 80-81 in the final minute, Frey missed an open shot, and after Manresa scored just one point, Jaworski also failed to convert, sealing Manresa's victory in Miribilla.

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