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    (VIDEO) Barcelona cruise past Gran Canaria behind Kevin Punter masterclass

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    By on Barcelona, Liga Endesa, News
    Kevin Punter
    Photo: ACB/Aitor Bouzo

    Barcelona defeated Gran Canaria 91:69 at home in the Blaugrana in Round 29 of the Liga Endesa, delivering a strong and motivated performance.

    Will Clyburn and Tomas Satoransky did not play for Barcelona, while Miquel Salvo was unavailable for Gran Canaria, and Brandon Jefferson made his debut.

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    So far this season, Barcelona has failed to achieve any significant results. They were eliminated in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals and lost to Monaco in the EuroLeague play-in, leaving Liga Endesa as their only remaining focus. They will now try to challenge Real Madrid and Valencia, because otherwise this season could be considered a failure despite all circumstances.

    Their last trophy came in the 2022/2023 season when they won the Liga Endesa title, and since then they have not lifted any silverware.

    Barcelona set the tone early. Of their first 17 points, 15 were scored by an outstanding Kevin Punter, while Tornike Shengelia also contributed. After the first quarter, Barcelona led 29-20, even though Gran Canaria made four three-pointers out of eight attempts, with Kassius Robertson and Chimezie Metu hitting two each.

    Barcelona maintained control throughout the game, dictating the pace and at one point building a 15-point lead. At halftime, they were ahead 48-34 after Kevin Punter hit a buzzer-beater to reach 20 points in the first half, shooting 8-of-11 from the field.

    When Kevin Punter knocked down his fourth three-pointer midway through the third quarter, completing an 11-0 run for a 59-36 lead, any doubts about the outcome were erased. Barcelona then closed out the game comfortably, as Gran Canaria failed to offer much resistance.

    In the final quarter, Sayon Keita, a future North Carolina player, also got his opportunity and made the most of it with five points.

    Kevin Punter led all scorers with 23 points, while Youssoupha Fall added 17 and Tornike Shengelia had 14. For Gran Canaria, Kassius Robertson scored 14 points, and Chimezie Metu added 10.

    Brandon Jefferson scored just six points on his debut, shooting 2-of-7 from the field.

    After this win, Barcelona improved to 20-9 and sit fourth in the standings, while Gran Canaria, whose two-game winning streak came to an end, dropped to 9-21 and are now 16th. Andorra sits just behind them at 8-21, while Granada is last with a 5-24 record.

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    Basketball Sphere Editor and Columnist.

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