FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.03.2010 19:58

Only the best win in Vitoria (79-86)

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Regal Barca put an end to Caja Laboral de Vitoria’s two year unbeaten home record in the regular season, as Ricky, Navarro and Ndong led them to a 79-86 win on Saturday.

After a first quarter in which their defence looked shaky, Regal Barca bounced back for another ACB win with Navarro and Ricky both outstanding with their three pointers and Ndong and Mickeal also putting in strong performances. The ACB leaders thus put an end to Caja Laboral’s great home record, not having lost at home in a regular season game since 26th April 2008.

All out attack

The game got off to an intense, fast and attacking start with hardly any personal fouls, indeed at times hardly any defence, to break up the game. The locals were causing Barca damage through the middle with their shorter players, whilst an inspired Navarro kept the visitors in touch, but a 27-22 score after 10 minutes tells its own story: wins are built on a solid defence, not like this!

Barca take control

The second quarter saw a big change as Barca strangled the threat from the locals, forcing them to work a lot harder for their points, whilst Navarro, Ricky and Ndong led the fightback. Navarro was firing in his “bombs” as he does best, Ricky seemed to be all over the court, stealing the ball, giving assists and getting rebounds whilst Ndong was at his most intimidating. From 34-30 down, Barca came back to take a 34-37 , then a 36-42 lead with Navarro recording a 16 point valuation at the end of the quarter which ended 45-49.

Lead built up

Barca strengthened their hold on the game in the third quarter with the normally key Fran Vazquez a virtual spectator as Ndong continued to impress. At 50-60, Barca had put a 10 point cushion between themselves and CAJA Laboral and although the home side managed to avoid that lead growing any greater, it seemed that Barca were going to close the game out without too many problems.

Ricky finishes Vitoria off

The Basques came out fighting in the final quarter and managed to cut the lead to just 4 points (72-76), but Ricky fired in three three pointers, to record a perfect five from five in the game, and put an end to any hopes of a dramatic late comeback and help chalk up another win for the league leaders.