Delayed reaction

Básquet Girona paid for a bad first half and could not take the victory in a close game against Azuqueca (62-66)

| Thursday, 15 November 2018

After recovering from a fourteen-point deficit, the Girona team took the lead in the last period and with three minutes to go the score was tied at 58. Then appeared the figure of baseman Carlos Hidalgo, who, with two almost consecutive three-pointers, left without an answer a confused but fighting Básquet Girona, who ends day eight in seventh position.

The visiting team was very solid in front of the ring and managed to score regularly thanks to second chances that were preceded by offensive rebounds (11 between the first two periods). Thus, the end of the first quarter was reached with a score of 15-26 in favor of the Mancheques.

In the second quarter, Quim Costa’s team improved defensively but remained uncertain in attack and, as a result, Básquet Girona found itself fourteen points behind (24-38) in the middle of the second quarter. Fortunately, Xavi Costa’s three-pointer and David Cuéllar’s two baskets reduced the deficit slightly (28-39 at halftime).

At the restart came the best Girona version. A storming start for the locals who, thanks to the direction and intensity of Sergi Costa, equalized the score at the end of the third quarter with an 11-0 run where everyone contributed. The coach of Azuqueca, Sergio Vicente called for a time-out to try to stop the fast and intense game of his rival but it didn’t work out. In the last second, Henry Bolton scored a triple that left his team ahead on the scoreboard with ten minutes to go (48-46).

In the last quarter, there was an exchange of blows and many alternatives to the electronic. However, the Catalans did not expect the appearance of the visiting number eight. Three minutes from the end and with the score tied at 58, Carlos Calvo nailed two three-pointers that left Básquet Girona unanswered, which tried until the final whistle.

The senior’s next engagement will be this Sunday, November 11 in Albacete, at the CB Villarrobledo track (12:15 p.m.).

*Quim Costa’s assessment:

“I have to convince my players to see that the line to follow is that of the third quarter. When we have defensive activity, then in attack it is completely different.”

“Now is when we have to show that we are a team and if we are able to get away with it.”

Statistics