One-Point Victory Extends Manresa's Strong Home Form
BAXI Manresa survived a scare at PAVELLO NOU CONGOST on Tuesday evening, edging past Neptunas Klaipeda by the slimmest of margins, 97-96, in a Round 15 EuroCup clash that lived up to its billing as a potential thriller. The Spanish side had to dig deep in the fourth quarter, producing a remarkable 35-point explosion to overcome a deficit and extend their recent winning streak at home.
The victory keeps Manresa in strong form domestically after impressive wins against Bahcesehir College Istanbul and Aris TT Bank in their previous two outings. For Neptunas, it marks another narrow defeat in what has been an inconsistent campaign, following their heavy loss to Union Olimpija Ljubljana just over a week ago.
Velicka Leads All Scorers Despite Neptunas Defeat
The star of the evening was undoubtedly Arnas Velicka of Neptunas Klaipeda, who delivered a spectacular all-around performance despite finishing on the losing side. The Lithuanian guard recorded 25 points, 11 assists, three rebounds, and three steals in over 35 minutes of action, posting an impressive efficiency rating of 37. His ability to both score and create for teammates kept the visitors competitive throughout the contest.
Velicka was particularly lethal from beyond the arc, connecting on four of his five three-point attempts. His nine successful free throws from 12 attempts also proved crucial in keeping Neptunas within striking distance during the tense final minutes. The playmaker's court vision and decision-making were on full display as he orchestrated the Lithuanian side's offense with precision.
Olinde Powers Manresa's Comeback Charge
For the home side, Louis Olinde emerged as the hero with a game-high 24 points in nearly 30 minutes of playing time. The German forward was highly efficient, shooting 7-of-12 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line while pulling down nine rebounds. His efficiency rating of 32 reflected his overall impact on the game, particularly during Manresa's crucial fourth-quarter surge.
Olinde demonstrated excellent balance in his scoring approach, converting four two-point attempts and three triples while drawing seven fouls from the Neptunas defense. His ability to attack the basket and finish through contact proved vital in the closing stages, as Manresa needed every single point in what ultimately became a one-point victory.
First Half Belongs to Neptunas
The opening 20 minutes saw Neptunas Klaipeda establish control of the contest. They edged the first quarter 24-22 before extending their advantage with a dominant 29-point second quarter compared to Manresa's 24. By halftime, the Lithuanian visitors held a 53-46 lead, with their offensive rhythm clicking on all cylinders.
Arnas Velicka and Mindaugas Girdziunas were instrumental in building this cushion. Girdziunas, coming off the bench, would finish with 21 points on an impressive 7-of-11 shooting, including 5-of-8 from three-point range. His scoring punch provided valuable support to Velicka's playmaking, creating significant problems for the Manresa defense.
Third Quarter Remains Tight
The third period saw BAXI Manresa begin their fightback, though not dramatically. They managed to edge the quarter 16-20, slightly closing the gap but still trailing as the teams headed into the final ten minutes. Neptunas maintained their composure and discipline, continuing to execute their offensive sets effectively.
Donatas Tarolis contributed solidly for the visitors with 16 points and six rebounds, shooting an efficient 5-of-8 from the field. His inside presence and ability to clean up on the offensive glass helped Neptunas maintain their advantage heading into what would prove to be a dramatic final frame.
Fourth Quarter Explosion Seals Victory
The decisive fourth quarter witnessed one of the most remarkable comebacks in this season's EuroCup competition. BAXI Manresa exploded for 35 points while limiting Neptunas to just 23, completely turning the game on its head in spectacular fashion. The home crowd at PAVELLO NOU CONGOST roared their approval as their team clawed back from what had looked like a certain defeat.
Retin Obasohan stepped up for Manresa during this crucial period, finishing with 11 points and six assists. Though his shooting efficiency wasn't spectacular at 4-of-16, his ability to penetrate and create, combined with his four free-throw conversions, helped fuel the comeback. The Belgian guard's experience and composure under pressure proved invaluable in the closing minutes.
Bench Production Makes the Difference
Pierre Oriola provided crucial bench production for Manresa, contributing 14 points, seven rebounds, and a block in over 22 minutes. The Spanish veteran shot 4-of-8 from the field and was perfect from the free-throw line at 5-of-5, demonstrating his reliability in pressure situations. His interior presence helped Manresa control the paint during their decisive run.
Ferran Bassas also made significant contributions off the bench with eight points, six rebounds, and nine assists, providing excellent facilitating and court vision. His efficiency rating of 18 reflected his all-around impact, even if his three-point shooting struggled at 1-of-6. The veteran guard's ability to run the offense and get teammates involved was crucial in orchestrating the comeback.
Neptunas Support Cast Delivers
Beyond Velicka's brilliance, Neptunas received strong performances from several players. Zane Waterman came off the bench to score 11 points on efficient 3-of-6 shooting, all from three-point range, finishing 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. His spacing and outside shooting threat created problems for Manresa's defense throughout the evening.
Aurimas Majauskas added nine points in just under 13 minutes before fouling out with five personal fouls. Despite limited court time, he was perfect from the field at 3-of-3 and drew four fouls, demonstrating his physicality and ability to impact the game in short bursts. His early foul trouble, however, limited his potential impact during the crucial fourth quarter.
Defensive Adjustments Key to Manresa Surge
The game's turning point came through Manresa's defensive adjustments in the final period. After allowing 73 points through three quarters, they tightened their rotations and increased their defensive intensity significantly. Marcis Steinbergs and Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu provided solid defensive efforts, with Akobundu-Ehiogu recording two blocks and shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field for 11 points.
The defensive pressure forced Neptunas into difficult shots and disrupted their offensive flow. Harrison Cleary struggled with his efficiency for the visitors, managing just four points on 2-of-13 shooting. The American guard's difficulties epitomized Neptunas's fourth-quarter struggles as Manresa ramped up their defensive pressure.
Free Throw Shooting Nearly Decisive
The free-throw line almost proved to be the difference maker in this tightly contested affair. BAXI Manresa converted 22 free throws during the game, with several players stepping up in clutch moments. Ferran Bassas was perfect at 5-of-5, while Pierre Oriola also went 5-of-5 from the stripe.
Neptunas, meanwhile, made 24 free throws but missed several crucial attempts down the stretch. Arnas Velicka missed three of his 12 attempts, and while 9-of-12 is still respectable, those missed free throws loomed large in a one-point defeat. The visitors will surely look back at those opportunities with some regret.
Implications for Both Teams
This victory continues BAXI Manresa's impressive form, particularly at home where they have now won several consecutive games. Their ability to overcome adversity and produce a stunning fourth-quarter comeback will provide significant confidence as they navigate the remainder of the EuroCup campaign. The depth of their roster and multiple scoring threats make them dangerous opponents for anyone.
For Neptunas Klaipeda, this defeat represents another frustrating near-miss in what has been an inconsistent season. Despite outstanding individual performances from Arnas Velicka and Mindaugas Girdziunas, they couldn't close out a game they controlled for three quarters. The Lithuanian side will need to find ways to maintain their intensity for the full 40 minutes if they hope to climb the standings.
The one-point margin ultimately reflected just how closely matched these teams were, with the difference coming down to Manresa's explosive fourth quarter and superior execution in the closing minutes. Both teams demonstrated quality basketball, but only one could emerge victorious in this Round 15 thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
