Week 14 of the Liga Endesa saw Unicaja Malaga maintain their status at the top of the table and a new ruler in Catalunya as Barcelona lose and Badalona keep winning.
UNICAJA STAY TOP
Unicaja Malaga eased past Rio Monbus 80-69 at home to stay top of the Liga Endesa.
The hosts led 40-29 at half-time and despite pressure from the Santiago-based side in the third quarter, were able to hang on and usher 2015 top of the pile.
Carlos Suarez led the winners with 13 points with Americans Jayson Granger and Ryan Toolson adding 12. Alberto Corbacho hit six three-pointers on his way to a game-high 18 points for Rio Monbus.
REAL STAY IN THE HUNT, BARCA FALL BACK
Real Madrid are second in the table but had to fight for their 79-70 road win against Andorra. The hosts tied the game at 62-62 in the latter stages of the fourth quarter, but from there, Real Madrid took over and finished the game strong to record the win.
Rudy Fernandez led the winners with 19 points, including two clutch triples in the final three minutes.
There was to be no such joy for Barcelona though, as they were toppled 73-67 away to Bilbao. The Catalan giants are now stuck in fifth place. Quino Colom went for 21 points as a closely fought encounter saw Barca fade in the final ten minutes, leaving Bilbao to take advantage and claim a big win.
A NEW LEADER IN CATALAN HOOPS … FOR NOW
Joventut Badalona sit in fourth place in the Liga Endesa, above Barcelona as Goron Suton’s 21 points helped them to a comfortable 85-65 win over Fuenlabrada.
Fuenlabrada are still in the relegation zone following their latest defeat.
ELSEWHERE…
Valencia were 98-80 victors at home to Tenerife as they look to head in the right direction following some bad results.
A clutch three with less than a minute left from Carlos Cabezas turned out to be the dagger as UCAM Murcia recorded a 70-67 win over Gipuzkoa.
Zaragoza comfortably saw-off struggling Bruixa d’Or 73-57 on the road, A three-pointer with 10 seconds left from Kyle Kuric handed Gran Canaria a narrow 71-70 win over the league’s basement side Seville.
Laboral Kutxa were easy 94-59 winner at home to Estudiantes. Darius Adams hit 16 points and helped the Euroleague break out to a strong 31-14 lead after the first quarter and never look back from there.
