Baskonia defeated Virtus in the play-in game at home by 89:77, securing their spot in the Euroleague quarterfinals and setting up a game against Real Madrid.
In the home team, Khalifa Diop and Chima Moneke were absent due to injury, while Devontae Cacok was missing for Virtus.
From the very start, the game was evenly matched, basket for basket, with Tadas Sedekerskis standing out. He quickly scored nine points and was largely responsible for Baskonia’s slightly better start to the game. After Markus Howard’s three-pointer, the home team threatened to establish a more comfortable lead, but Virtus played better towards the end of the opening quarter, catching up and then taking the lead.
The teams exchanged blows, constantly keeping pace with each other, shaping the contest into the expected intense battle that typically characterizes such significant matchups. There were spectacular dunks and long-range shots β especially from Howard. The American had already attempted nine three-pointers by halftime, making three. However, it wasn’t enough to do more than keep the score level heading into the second half.
Awudu Abass π₯π€@VirtusSegafredo pic.twitter.com/fpoqZQLqUu
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Then Howard showed why he’s an entirely different beast when he’s ‘in the zone.’ Basket after basket, with no chance for anyone to stop him, and four three-pointers in a very short period propelled Baskonia to a significant lead of plus 16 (63:47) midway through the third quarter, indicating that the team from Vitoria could be the last participant in the playoffs.
In the fourth quarter, Matt Costello took on the role of executioner, leaving Virtus unsure of where the danger was coming from. It was precisely this offensive versatility that led Baskonia to a great victory. Dusko Ivanovic’s squad calmly closed out the game and secured their spot in the playoffs.
The top scorer for Baskonia was Markus Howard with 28 points, while Tadas Sedekerskis contributed 16 points and Matt Costello scored 19 points. In Virtus, Tornike Shengelia led with 15 points, while Daniel Hackett scored 13.
With this win, Baskonia secured their place in the quarterfinals and will face Real Madrid.
BASKONIA – VIRTUS 89:77 (21:22, 20:19, 31:16, 17:20)
Venue: Buesa Arena, Vitoria
Referees: Belosevic, Difallah, Nedovic
Baskonia: Howard 28, Raieste, Chiozza, Querejeta, Sedekerskis 16, Marinkovic 5, Miller-McIntyre 8, Diez, Rogkavopoulos 9, Kotsar 4, Costello 19, Theodore
Virtus: Cordinier 10, Lundberg 10, Belinelli 10, Pajola 1, Dobric, Shengelia 16, Hackett 13, Mickey 3, Polonara 3, Zizic 4, Dunston, Abass 7