Barcelona Stays in the Lead Pack After Narrow Endesa League Victory
Barcelona remained firmly among the frontrunners in the Endesa League standings after a hard-fought 72-86 win against UCAM Murcia Basketball Club. The Catalan side capitalized on the late stages of the third quarter to shift the momentum, confirming their status as one of the season’s strong contenders. Nicolás Laprovittola emerged as the game’s leading scorer, registering 15 points, all coming in the second half, and providing the spark his team needed to seal the result away from home.
The clash pitted UCAM CB, who had recently secured a top-16 finish in the FIBA Champions League by defeating European rivals on the Pınar Karşıyaka circuit, against a Barça side that had already endured a mixed run of results including a recent loss to Lyon. The win also carried sentimental weight ahead of an important Euroleague date with Anadolu Efes, a match that could influence mood, fatigue and confidence in the days ahead.
From the opening minutes, defenses dominated the flow of play, producing a low-scoring start that read 4-4 after nearly six minutes. Both teams blocked opponents’ attempts and struggled to convert around the rim, setting a tense tone for what followed.
Cory Higgins opened the scoring surge for the visitors, delivering seven consecutive points that helped Barça close the first quarter with a four-point edge at 13-17. The early sequence suggested a potentially grueling duel, and the sense that hard work would be required to secure the victory began to solidify.
Kyle Kuric then took charge at the start of the second period, knocking down two quick three-pointers and lifting the pace for Barcelona. His early bucket run helped extend the lead to eight points at 15-23 as Barça gained momentum. Ilimane Diop and Artem Pustovyi also played pivotal roles nearby, imposing pressure on UCAM and keeping the Catalans in command by the break, with the scoreboard showing 33-37 in favor of the visitors. In the stat sheet, Kuric accumulated 20 points (11 in this half) while Higgins contributed nine, underscoring the balance in scoring beyond Laprovittola’s heroics.
The third quarter turned into a back-and-forth exchange, with Vesely contributing on the front line for Barça and Pustovyi continuing to trouble UCAM’s defense. Jan Vesely came to the fore in Barça’s attack, while Pustovyi’s presence created mismatches and open looks for teammates. James Anderson stepped up with a couple of timely three-pointers, briefly shrinking Barça’s edge as the period wore on, and UCAM remained within striking distance at 46-47 as the third period neared its end.
Laprovittola answered from beyond the arc, restoring a degree of separation for Barcelona with a crucial triple at the close of the third, establishing a late cushion for the final frame. The last ten minutes saw the visitors stretch their advantage, aided by a strong late push from Laprovittola and a collective effort that kept UCAM at arm’s length. The decisive stretch began to tilt in Barça’s favor as the ball movement sharpened and the defense held firm, culminating in a 57-65 margin with six minutes remaining, cementing the visitors’ control of the matchup.
Barcelona’s seasoned experience and steady execution allowed them to manage the closing minutes with composure, even as UCAM looked for a comeback. Thad McFadden, who had been a focal point for UCAM, managed only two points, while Laprovittola’s continued scoring and the defense’s discipline helped Barça extend the lead to 62-75 with six minutes left on the clock. Sito Alonso attempted to alter the tide with a timeout, but the strategic changes didn’t yield the desired result, and Barcelona pushed their advantage to 15 points after Sertaç Şanlı contributed solid numbers in the paint.
Match statistics: 72 points for UCAM Murcia, with contributions from Bellas, McFadden, Anderson, Radovic, and Pustovyi among others to form the opening quartet. 86 points for Barcelona, spread across Laprovittola, Abrines, Kalinic, Mirotic, Vesely, and a supporting cast that included Higgins, Kuric, Jokubaitis, and Nnaji. The refereeing trio consisted of Antonio Conde Ruiz, Javier Torres Sánchez, and Andrés Fernández Carretero. The game took place before 6,612 fans at the Palacio de los Deportes in Murcia, aligning with the 16th round of the Endesa Basketball League. [Citation: Endesa League match report]