Zaragoza overcome amazing Abrines performance to edge out Barcelona / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Alfonso Canavacciuolo/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Alfonso Canavacciuolo/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Alex Abrines scored 26 points while draining 7 three-pointers but it was not enough to earn FC Barcelona (22-7) a victory against Casademont Zaragoza (10-19) as the home team edged out the league's favorites in the final minutes of the match 73-71 (16-11, 19-19, 23-21, 18-11) to earn only their 10th victory in the season.

Barcelona took the early lead (14-8) and maintained it throughout the first quarter. The story in the second quarter did not change as Barca kept their hold on the lead, and the teams finished the first half separated by 5 - 35-30.

The tempo of the game remained the same when the second half started as well. Both teams went neck and neck with each other with neither surmounting any larger lead or deficit. Barcelona built an 11-point lead with 3 minutes to go in the third, but it was quickly cut down to 5 by Zaragoza.

The winner was decided in the final 10 minutes of the match. Barca has a 6-point lead with under 5 minutes to go, but then Zaragoza scored 7 unanswered points to take the lead (68-67) with just under three minutes to play.

Teams traded baskets during the last several minutes of the match, but the final word was said by Zaragoza. Tryggvi Hlinason scored a two-plus-one with Abrines' foul to put the team up by three (74-71). Nikola Mirotic's three-pointer during the next possession was off, and the home underdogs enjoyed an unlikely victory.

Zaragoza were led by a trio of Christian Mekowulu, who scored 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, Frankie Ferrari, who besides his 16 points also had 5 rebounds and 4 assists, and Adam Waczynski, who also added 16 points to the team's tally.

Barcelona had a clear and undeniable leader in Alex Abrines who scored 26 points while scoring 7 three-pointers at a stunning 87% accuracy. Nikola Mirotic added 12 points and 5 rebounds.

Zaragoza: Christian Mekowulu 17 (5/7 2PT, 7 REB), Frankie Ferrari 16 (5/8 2PT, 4 REB, 5 AST), Adam Waczynski 16 (3/3 3PT), Tryggvi Hlinason 11 (4 REB).

Barcelona: Alex Abrines 26 (7/8 3PT), Nikola Mirotic 12 (0/5 3PT, 5 REB).

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