Manresa Secures Crucial Home Victory in Round 13
BAXI Manresa delivered an emphatic performance at home, defeating Aris TT Bank 113-99 in Round 13 of EuroCup action on January 6, 2026. The Spanish side controlled the game from start to finish, never allowing the Greek visitors to gain any momentum before a crowd of 4,830 enthusiastic supporters. The victory was a statement of intent from Manresa, who bounced back from their heavy defeat against Hapoel Jerusalem to reassert their credentials in the competition.
The home team's dominance was evident from the opening tip, as they stormed to a commanding 35-18 lead in the first quarter. This blistering start set the tone for the entire contest, with Manresa's offensive efficiency and defensive intensity overwhelming their opponents. The 17-point advantage after the first ten minutes proved to be a cushion that Aris could never seriously threaten, despite their best efforts in the second half.
First Half Domination Sets the Foundation
The opening quarter was a masterclass in offensive basketball from BAXI Manresa. Their ball movement was crisp, their shooting was accurate, and they found open looks consistently against the Aris defense. By the end of the first quarter, Manresa had established a 35-18 lead, with contributions coming from multiple sources. The balanced attack would become a hallmark of their performance throughout the evening.
The second quarter saw Manresa maintain their intensity, outscoring Aris 28-20 to take a commanding 63-38 lead into halftime. The 25-point advantage was built on excellent team play, with the home side recording 11 assists in the first half alone. Their defensive effort was equally impressive, forcing turnovers and limiting Aris to difficult shots. The visitors struggled to find any rhythm offensively, particularly from beyond the arc, where they converted just a handful of three-point attempts in the opening twenty minutes.
Aris Fights Back But Cannot Close the Gap
Aris TT Bank emerged from halftime with renewed determination, winning the third quarter 28-24. Bryce Jones came alive during this period, showing why he was such a valuable addition to the roster. His aggressive drives to the basket and improved shooting kept Aris within striking distance, at least temporarily. The Greek side's improved defensive pressure also began to force Manresa into more difficult possessions.
The fourth quarter saw Aris mount their most sustained challenge, outscoring Manresa 33-26 in the final period. Bryce Jones continued his hot streak, finishing the game with an impressive 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the field. However, the deficit proved too large to overcome, and Manresa's experience allowed them to manage the game effectively in the closing minutes, maintaining enough of a cushion to secure the victory comfortably.
Balanced Scoring Leads Manresa to Victory
The key to BAXI Manresa's success was their exceptional team balance and depth. Six players scored in double figures, demonstrating the offensive versatility that has become their trademark. Retin Obasohan came off the bench to provide a spark, finishing with 18 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting. His ability to penetrate the defense and create opportunities for himself and his teammates was crucial in maintaining Manresa's advantage.
Ferran Bassas and Agustin Ubal each contributed 14 points, showcasing the variety of weapons at Manresa's disposal. Bassas was particularly effective from three-point range, converting four of his seven attempts from beyond the arc. His ability to stretch the defense opened up driving lanes for his teammates and kept the Aris defense honest throughout the contest.
Gerard Fernandez provided valuable minutes off the bench, scoring 14 points and adding defensive intensity with two steals. His energy was infectious, and he helped maintain the tempo whenever he was on the court. Alex Reyes added 12 points with a well-rounded performance that included three rebounds, two assists, and a block, finishing with an impressive plus-minus of +12.
Noua and Jones Lead Aris Effort
For Aris TT Bank, Amine Noua delivered an outstanding all-around performance with 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals. His efficiency rating of 25 was the highest on his team, and he consistently found ways to score in traffic against Manresa's interior defense. Noua's 9-of-18 shooting from the field demonstrated his persistence and determination despite the challenging circumstances.
Bryce Jones was the catalyst for Aris's second-half surge, posting a game-high efficiency rating of 29 to go along with his 27 points. His 10-of-13 shooting performance was remarkable, and he added three rebounds and three assists to his stat line. Jones's ability to create his own shot and finish through contact kept Aris competitive when the game could have spiraled completely out of control.
Danilo Andjusic contributed 18 points on efficient 5-of-7 shooting, including 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. His veteran presence was valuable in trying to organize the Aris offense, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome. Elijah Mitrou-Long added 15 points, five assists, and three steals in a solid floor general performance, though his four personal fouls limited his effectiveness at times.
Defensive Intensity and Team Play Make the Difference
The statistics tell the story of BAXI Manresa's superiority in this contest. The home side's ball movement resulted in numerous high-percentage looks, and their willingness to share the basketball was evident in their assist numbers. Retin Obasohan led the way with six assists, while Ferran Bassas, Agustin Ubal, and several others contributed multiple assists.
Manresa's rebounding effort was also crucial, with Louis Olinde grabbing eight boards to lead the team. His eight rebounds, combined with three offensive rebounds, provided crucial second-chance opportunities and prevented Aris from gaining momentum through defensive stops. The team's overall rebounding advantage helped control the pace and tempo of the game.
Defensively, Manresa forced Aris into uncomfortable situations throughout the first half. While the visitors improved in the second half, the damage had already been done. The home side's ability to contest shots and rotate properly limited Aris's offensive efficiency, particularly in the crucial opening quarter when the game's foundation was established.
Bench Contributions Prove Decisive
The depth of BAXI Manresa's roster was on full display, with their bench significantly outscoring that of Aris. Marcis Steinbergs provided quality minutes with 12 points and four rebounds, while Gustav Knudsen contributed solid defensive minutes. Grant Golden was perfect from the field, making all three of his two-point attempts for eight points in limited time.
This depth allowed Manresa's coaching staff to keep players fresh throughout the contest and maintain their high-energy style of play. The ability to bring in productive players from the bench at multiple positions gave them a significant advantage over Aris, who relied more heavily on their starting lineup and key reserves like Jones.
Looking Forward
This victory improves BAXI Manresa's position in the EuroCup standings and provides important momentum heading into the remainder of the season. The 14-point victory, while not as dramatic as some of their other wins this season, demonstrated their ability to control a game from start to finish. The balanced scoring attack and solid defensive effort will give them confidence as they prepare for their next challenge.
For Aris TT Bank, the loss continues a challenging stretch in their EuroCup campaign. Despite the strong individual performances from Bryce Jones and Amine Noua, the early deficit proved insurmountable. The team will need to find a way to start games more strongly and avoid the kind of first-quarter collapse that doomed them in this contest. The second-half fight showed character, but in EuroCup competition, forty minutes of focused basketball is required to secure victories on the road.
