Barcelona snag tough win over Liga ACB newcomers / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Zuma Press – Scanpix Credit Zuma Press – Scanpix

Today, two undefeated Spanish Liga ACB teams - FC Barcelona (3/0) and Leche Rio Breogan (2-1) - faced off at the Palau Blaugrana arena. The winners of last season's second Spanish division, Breogan, gave Barcelona a run for their money, but eventually, Sarunas Jasikevicius' squad prevailed 78-69 (23-15, 19-21, 18-19, 18-14).

Leche Rio Breogan / Schedule

CB Miraflores Burgos Leche Rio Breogan62-87 FC Barcelona Leche Rio Breogan78-69

Barca jumped out to an early 9-2 lead but, with the help from Nikola Mirotic, who had 10 points in the first period, sustained it, leading by eight points after one.

Even though Barcelona increased their lead to double-digits at the start of the second quarter (29-17), Breogan retaliated with an 8-0 run to bring themselves back within four. Both teams continued going back and forth, and Barcelona went into halftime with a six-point advantage (42-36).

Mirotic continued his offensive onslaught in the second half and helped his team gain an eight-point lead multiple times. However, Breogan responded every time, and after a last-second make by Trae Bell-Haynes, his team only had a five-point deficit going into the final period (60-55).

It seemed like there was a lid on the basket for Barcelona in the first half of the fourth quarter. The Catalans only mustered four points in the first five minutes, holding on to a three-point advantage (64-61). Cory Higgins hit a 3-pointer to give his team some breathing room. Both teams continued trading buckets, but Barcelona had the last laugh and took the W.

Barcelona: Nikola Mirotic 22 (6 REB), Cory Higgins 15, Nigel Hayes 14, Kyle Kuric 8, Nick Calathes 5 (5 AST), Brandon Davies 4 (5 AST), Nicolas Laprovittola 3, Pierre Oriola 3, Rokas Jokubaitis 2, Sertac Sanli 2.

Breogan: Dzanan Musa 14, Marko Lukovic 12, Trae Bell-Haynes 11,Rasid Mahalbasic 10.

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