Defeat in Palau

The senior loses the match against Real Murcia Baloncesto in the last minutes

| Sunday, 26 January 2020

Basketball Girona has lost against Real Murcia Baloncesto in its return to the Palau pavilion. The team from Girona completed a great first half but found a well-positioned opponent at the back in the second half, falling in the last possessions of the match (61-70). Antonio Hester, 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Albert Sàbat, 15 points, were the offensive light in a complicated game in attack.

The defenses and the uncertainty prevailed in the first steps of the match. Both co-leaders have respected each other while adjusting well to their own field. Murcia advanced after the home dominance but two consecutive triples by the senior, the second by Sàbat in the last possession, allowed them to finish the first quarter ahead of the score (17-14).

In the second period, an 8-0 local run countered the visitors’ first baskets. A three-pointer by Antonio Hester put the first maximum of eight points (28-20) and Albert Sàbat, from the free throw, the second, of twelve (37-25). However, both the offensive and defensive pace was positive: Real Murcia would finish with twelve points in the second half. Antonio Hester, with 10 points and 16 ratings at halftime, key to Girona’s advantage (37-26).

In the second half, the opposing team defended the Girona team more effectively. A 0-10 run reduced the difference to three points and Patrick Whelan, from the free kick, put the Murcia team ahead again after many minutes (45-46). The visiting team has been strong in the outside shot, with three triples after being able to make two before the break. A basket by Herbert Graham restored Girona’s lead before the last quarter (47-46).

In the last ten minutes, the team from Girona took the initiative and managed to increase the lead to seven points (55-48). A partial 0-7 has once again put the tie on the scoreboard, with a great Patrick Whelan (26 points, 24 in the second half, and 31 evaluation), but Albert Sàbat has unbalanced with a 3+1 that has made the Palau pavilion go crazy. However, Murcia managed to score in the next two possessions, turning the game around, and sealed the victory from the free throw (61-70).

The next senior game is on Saturday, February 1 at 8 p.m. at the Barris Nord pavilion in Lleida.

Statements by Alex Formento:

“A first half where we were clearly dominant and we knew how to collapse their game very well and make them uncomfortable. Very confident and very focused, we still needed a hair’s worth of success to leave with a greater advantage. The truth is that we had an extraordinary first half. In the second half, they took a step forward, like the great team they are, and took the initiative. It has been difficult for us to defend Whelan, not only because of the 26 points but because of what he has generated. And in the last quarter we competed very well between the two teams until the last 2 minutes in which he did not let us compete.”

“The same situations in both baskets have not been equally valued and we have been punished by two unheard of consecutive actions, defense and counterattacks with the player with verticality in the basket. To add nothing more, we have all seen what has happened on one side and the other. Congratulate my players for the support they have done and thank everyone for coming out and helping us in such a tough week.”

“We know the competitive level we have and that we are going to fight for everything between now and the end of the season. We are convinced of this, but when you are visited by teams like Murcia and realizing the game you played strengthens you and you know that this is very long.”

Statistics

Photo: Sergi Geronès