Markus Howard's offensive explosion gives Baskonia ticket to playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

Baskonia went on a 12-0 run in the third quarter to get control of the game, while Markus Howard exploded for 28 points, making 8 triples. Baskonia will now play against Real Madrid in the quarterfinal best-of-five series.

Credit: Aitor Arrizabalaga/GettyImages Credit Aitor Arrizabalaga/GettyImages

Although the first half was tied, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz exploded in the second half and relatively comfortably beat Virtus Segafredo Bologna in the final play-in game, 89-77 (21-22, 20-19, 31-16, 17-20).

Player of the Game EFF 25 Tadas Sedekerskis Points 16 Accuracy 6-8 Rebounds 7 Assists 1

The score was tied at 41 after the first 20 minutes, but then the home team went on a 12-0 run in the middle of the third quarter and solidified their lead, with Markus Howard making five triples in the quarter.

Overall, Howard finished the match with 28 points on 9-for-26 shooting, making 8 threes in 19 attempts, just two shy of the EuroLeague's all-time record of 21 triple attempts, set by Alexey Shved during the 2019-20 season.

Baskonia's Tadas Sedekerskis successfully replaced Chima Moneke, who couldn't compete due to an ankle injury he suffered during the first play-in game against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Tuesday. The Lithuanian scored 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for a game-leading 25 PIR.

Marco Belinelli scored the first 10 Virtus points in the first quarter, but the veteran sharpshooter didn't score a single point in the remaining time on the court.

After the win, Baskonia will now go into the playoffs to play against Real Madrid in the quarterfinals in a best-of-five series to advance to the Final Four. The first game of the series starts on Tuesday, April 23rd.

This will be the first Baskonia's appearance in the EuroLeague playoffs since the 2018-19 season.

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