Manresa Survives Late Cluj Surge in Dramatic 101-99 Victory
BAXI Manresa held off a determined U-BT Cluj-Napoca side in a pulsating Round 16 EuroCup encounter at the PAVELLO NOU CONGOST, emerging victorious by the narrowest of margins, 101-99. The Spanish side demonstrated remarkable resilience after falling behind early, orchestrating a stunning comeback that saw them outscore their Romanian opponents by 13 points in the second quarter to seize control of the contest.
The opening quarter belonged entirely to Cluj, who stormed out of the gates with an exceptional offensive display. The visitors poured in 30 points while limiting Manresa to just 17, establishing what appeared to be a commanding early advantage. Mitchell Creek and Daron Russell spearheaded the early assault, exploiting gaps in the home team's defense with surgical precision. The Romanian champions appeared poised to run away with the game, their confidence growing with each successful possession.
However, BAXI Manresa responded with characteristic Spanish pride and tactical acumen in the second quarter. The home side completely turned the tables, dominating the period 35-22 to head into halftime with a 52-52 deadlock. This remarkable 18-point swing in the quarter demonstrated Manresa's championship mentality and their ability to adjust under pressure. The defensive intensity increased significantly, with Eli Brooks providing crucial stops and disrupting Cluj's offensive rhythm.
Third Quarter Sets Up Dramatic Finale
The third quarter saw Cluj briefly regain their composure, edging the period 27-22 to take a five-point advantage into the final ten minutes. Dusan Miletic was magnificent during this stretch, using his 214cm frame to dominate inside and provide Cluj with crucial buckets. The Serbian center's ability to score efficiently while also protecting the rim kept the visitors in pole position heading into the decisive fourth quarter.
The final period became a testament to Manresa's home-court advantage and mental fortitude. The hosts outscored Cluj 27-20 in the fourth quarter, with Retin Obasohan delivering a virtuoso performance off the bench. The Belgian guard was absolutely sensational when it mattered most, repeatedly getting to the free-throw line and converting under immense pressure. His ability to draw fouls and knock down clutch shots proved to be the difference in an incredibly tight finish.
Obasohan Emerges as Unlikely Hero
Retin Obasohan produced the performance of the night, coming off the bench to score a game-high 29 points in just 1,400 seconds of action. His efficiency rating of 33 was the highest on the court, reflecting his comprehensive contribution to Manresa's victory. The Belgian guard shot an impressive 9-of-15 from the field, including 2-of-4 from three-point range, but it was his work at the charity stripe that truly stood out. Obasohan converted 9-of-11 free throws, with many coming in crucial late-game situations where nerves typically take their toll.
What made Obasohan's performance even more remarkable was his composure under pressure. He added four assists to his scoring outburst, demonstrating excellent court vision and decision-making. While he did commit four turnovers, his positive contributions far outweighed any negatives. Drawing 14 fouls throughout the game, Obasohan consistently attacked the basket with purpose, forcing Cluj's defense into difficult decisions and keeping them in constant foul trouble.
Creek's Perfect Shooting Display Goes Unrewarded
Despite the defeat, Mitchell Creek delivered an absolutely outstanding individual performance for U-BT Cluj-Napoca. The Australian forward was virtually unstoppable from two-point range, converting an incredible 11-of-11 attempts inside the arc. His final tally of 27 points came with remarkable efficiency, as he also added seven rebounds and four assists to his stat line. Creek's efficiency rating of 34 was the game's highest, yet ultimately proved insufficient to secure victory for his team.
Creek's ability to finish around the basket was on full display throughout the contest. Whether attacking off the dribble, finishing in transition, or converting from the low post, the Australian forward found ways to score against every defensive scheme Manresa threw at him. His perfect shooting night from two-point range is a rarity at this level of competition, highlighting his exceptional skill and focus. The fact that he also drew six fouls demonstrated his physicality and willingness to absorb contact while finishing strong.
Miletic Dominates Interior Battle
Dusan Miletic was another standout performer for Cluj, recording 19 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in an excellent all-around display. The Serbian big man shot an efficient 8-of-11 from two-point range, using his size advantage to punish Manresa inside. His three blocks were crucial in disrupting the home team's offensive flow at various points, while his two steals demonstrated his defensive awareness and quick hands for a player of his stature.
What made Miletic's performance particularly impressive was his zero turnovers despite heavy involvement in Cluj's offense. Playing nearly 30 minutes, the Serbian center handled the ball with care and made smart decisions, never forcing plays that weren't there. His five fouls, however, did limit his impact in the closing stages, forcing coach to be cautious with his deployment during the crucial final minutes when his presence could have made a difference.
Russell's Free-Throw Parade Keeps Cluj in Contest
Daron Russell contributed 22 points for Cluj, though his shooting efficiency left something to be desired. The American guard converted just 4-of-15 from the field, including a difficult 3-of-11 from beyond the arc. However, Russell kept his team in the game by relentlessly attacking the basket and getting to the free-throw line, where he converted an impressive 11-of-12 attempts. His ability to draw fouls—he was fouled nine times—demonstrated his craftiness and understanding of how to manipulate defensive positioning.
Russell also contributed six rebounds and five assists, showing his willingness to impact the game in multiple ways when his shot wasn't falling. His five turnovers were concerning, particularly in such a close contest where each possession carried enormous weight. Nevertheless, his ability to consistently pressure Manresa's defense and create opportunities both for himself and teammates kept Cluj competitive throughout the 40 minutes.
Manresa's Balanced Scoring Attack Proves Decisive
While Obasohan grabbed the headlines, BAXI Manresa benefited from a balanced scoring attack that saw five players reach double figures. Louis Olinde provided 18 points off the bench with excellent efficiency, shooting 7-of-12 from the field including 6-of-7 from two-point range. The German forward's ability to score consistently in the paint gave Manresa another reliable offensive option when Cluj's defense focused on stopping Obasohan.
Alex Reyes added 13 points and seven rebounds in the starting lineup, providing steady production and hitting three crucial three-pointers. His defensive work was equally important, recording two steals and a block while helping to contain Cluj's perimeter threats. Marcis Steinbergs contributed eight points and five rebounds, while Ferran Bassas came off the bench to add eight points and five assists, orchestrating the offense effectively during his time on the court.
Defensive Intensity Defines Final Minutes
The closing minutes saw both teams ratchet up their defensive intensity, with every possession becoming a battle of wills. Manresa's home crowd provided tremendous energy, lifting their team during crucial defensive stands. The referees—Mehdi Difallah, Uros Obrknezevic, and Marko Juras—had their hands full managing the physical nature of the contest, calling a total of 51 fouls between the two teams.
Both teams showed excellent discipline in protecting the basketball during the final stages, understanding that turnovers could prove fatal. The fact that Manresa managed to hold on despite Cluj's perfect shooting from Mitchell Creek speaks volumes about their defensive rotations and help defense. Every rebound became contested, every loose ball pursued with maximum effort, creating an atmosphere befitting a playoff contest.
Victory Extends Manresa's Impressive Home Form
This victory continues BAXI Manresa's excellent form, particularly at home where they have now won their last four games. The Spanish side has demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the season, with this latest triumph showcasing their ability to win close games through clutch execution and mental toughness. Their 101 points represented their third consecutive home game exceeding 96 points, highlighting their offensive potency at the PAVELLO NOU CONGOST.
For U-BT Cluj-Napoca, this narrow defeat will sting given the excellence of individual performances from Mitchell Creek and Dusan Miletic. The Romanian champions have now lost two of their last three games, though their competitive spirit and ability to challenge top teams on the road remains evident. The fact that they led for significant portions of the game and nearly stole victory despite Manresa's home advantage demonstrates their quality and potential.
