Baskonia escape Valencia on the road to take the lead in ACB quarter-finals / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ACB/M.Pozo Credit ACB/M.Pozo

Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz held off hosts Valencia Basket80-79 (21-21, 22-14, 24-27, 13-17) and got the upper hand in their ACB quarter-final playoff series. Game 2 will be held next Saturday in Vitoria, where Neven Spahija's team will have the chance to sweep the best-of-three series.

Player of the Game EFF 15 Matt Costello Points 15 Accuracy 6-12 Rebounds 9 Assists 3

Wade Baldwin, Simone Fontecchio and Matt Costello scored 15 points apiece for the winners, while Xabi Lopez-Arrostegui logged 17 for the losing side. The Spanish guard was also Valencia's go-to guy in the final possessions.

The game was even in the first quarter, but Baskonia held the hosts scoreless for four minutes to get a slight edge down the road.

Valencia reacted in the last quarter and Lopez-Arrostegui tied it at 75 apiece with three minutes remaining. Mike Tobey put the hosts up 77-75, but Wade Baldwin helped his side make up for lost ground. Jayson Granger and Matt Costello combined in a pick n' roll that got the American big man dunk the ball for 79-80, which was the final score, although 50 seconds were left on the game clock.

Lopez-Arrostegui missed an open three-pointer and in the last 8,7 seconds, Valencia had another chance to get the win. Dimitrijevic got the ball, attempted the runner, but missed again.

The game was also marked by Sam Van Rossom's record, as the Belgian guard became the all-time leading passer in Valencia's history.

Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz: Wade Baldwin 15 (5/10 FG, 3/4 FT), Simone Fontecchio 15 (4/7 FG, 2/2 FT, 3 AST, 5 TO), Matt Costello 15 (6/12 FG, 2/2 FT, 9 REB, 3 AST), Rokas Giedraitis 10, Steven Enoch 10 (5 REB).

Valencia Basket: Xabi Lopez-Arrostegui 17 (6/12 FG, 3/3 FT), Nenad Dimitrijevic 15 (7/15 FG, 1/1 FT, 6 AST), Mike Tobey6 12, Jaime Pradilla 10.

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