FCBARCELONA.CAT

23.01.2010 20:03

Last minute defeat (60-59)

Verònica Díez

Regal Barça suffered just their second defeat of the season when they went down 60-58 in Valencia. A three-pointer from Rafa Martínez in the last second gave the hosts the win in a low scoring game.

Valencia are still unbeaten at home, though Barca came desperately close to breaking that record and only a last gasp three-pointer gave the hosts the win.

The positive note for Barca was that Ricky Rubio became the youngest player to score more than 1,000 points in the ACB and he is just three short of becoming the youngest player to reach 500 assists.

Unstoppable

It was a thrilling first half with a three pointer from Nielsen kicking the action off and Barca cut off the attacking option s of their hosts with a 0-14 flurry of points before Rafa Martinez dragged his team back to 8-15 at the end of the first quarter. Things changed in the second quarter as Rafa Martinexz continued to lead the hosts, who took a 23-20 lead before Barca reacted and closed down in defence. Three points from Morris in the last seconds of the half took the teams in at 25 each at half time..

Intense

The third quarter was incredibly intense with Valencia racing to an eight point lead before Barca again fought back and drew 36-36 with a free shot from Ndong and then drew ahead 38-42 as the game went into the last quarter.

Last gasp points

Although Xavi Pascual’s team kept the distance and Ricky Rubio made it 43-49, Martinez again popped up and dragged his team back to 55-55 with two free shots going into the last minute. Navarro made it 56-59 with Martinez cutting the distance to 57-59 as the clock ticked down and even though Pascual called a late time-out, Rafa Martinez whipped in a killer three-pointer in the last second to inflict Barca’s second defeat of the season.