Venice Claims Convincing Victory in Catalonia
Umana Reyer Venice delivered an emphatic performance in Round 17 of the EuroCup, overwhelming BAXI Manresa with a commanding 91-75 victory at Pavello Nou Congost. The Italian side dominated the second half, particularly the final quarter, to secure their position in the competition and continue their impressive away form.
The contest remained competitive through the first half, with both teams exchanging blows in what appeared destined to be a closely fought encounter. However, Venice's superior depth and execution in the crucial moments proved decisive, as they outscored the home team 44-26 in the second half to pull away convincingly.
RJ Cole Leads the Offensive Charge
RJ Cole was the standout performer for Reyer Venice, posting a game-high 25 points on efficient 9-of-19 shooting from the field. The American guard demonstrated exceptional poise throughout the contest, particularly in drawing fouls and converting from the charity stripe, where he went a perfect 6-for-6. Cole's efficiency rating of 23 led all players and showcased his all-around contribution, adding five assists and two steals while committing just one turnover in over 31 minutes of action.
Cole's ability to penetrate the Manresa defense proved crucial, as he consistently got to the rim and drew contact. His eight successful two-point field goals on 16 attempts illustrated his determination to attack the basket, and his four blocks received demonstrated how much attention the home team had to pay him. When the game hung in the balance during the third quarter, Cole's scoring kept Venice ahead and prevented any potential Manresa comeback.
Balanced Scoring Fuels Venice Success
Beyond Cole's stellar performance, Umana Reyer Venice benefited from balanced contributions across their roster. Kyle Wiltjer added 15 points with exceptional efficiency, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from the free-throw line. The versatile forward also grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists, providing the kind of secondary scoring that makes Venice so difficult to defend.
Denzel Valentine contributed significantly on both ends of the floor, recording 11 points and a team-high nine defensive rebounds. His presence on the glass was vital in limiting Manresa's second-chance opportunities, and his two steals helped create transition opportunities for the visitors. Valentine's efficiency rating of 15 reflected his well-rounded performance that went beyond the scoring column.
Carl Wheatle provided an important spark off the bench with 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including a three-pointer. His ability to maintain Venice's intensity when starters rested proved crucial in building and maintaining the lead. Amedeo Tessitori also made his presence felt with 11 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, anchoring the defense with his physical presence in the paint.
Manresa's Struggles Mount in Second Half
BAXI Manresa entered the game riding a strong home record but found themselves unable to maintain their early competitiveness. After holding Venice to a 24-24 tie in the first quarter and trailing by just two points at halftime (49-47), the home side's offense collapsed dramatically in the second half, managing just 26 points across the final twenty minutes.
Retin Obasohan led Manresa's scoring efforts with 17 points, displaying efficiency from inside the arc with a 5-of-9 performance on two-point attempts. The Belgian guard also drew five fouls and converted 7-of-9 free throws, showing his ability to create contact and get to the line. However, his three turnovers reflected the overall struggles of Manresa's offense in breaking down Venice's disciplined defense.
Alex Reyes contributed 13 points and six rebounds, connecting on three three-pointers to provide spacing for his team. Marcis Steinbergs added 12 points off the bench on an impressive 4-of-6 shooting, including two three-pointers, but these individual efforts couldn't overcome the team's collective offensive woes.
Fourth Quarter Collapse Seals Manresa's Fate
The defining period of the game came in the fourth quarter, where Reyer Venice completely dismantled their opponents with a 25-9 scoring advantage. This devastating run transformed what had been a competitive contest into a blowout. Manresa's offense managed just nine points in the final ten minutes, their lowest-scoring quarter of the game by a significant margin.
Venice's defensive intensity reached its peak in the fourth quarter, forcing multiple turnovers and contested shots. The visitors' ability to protect the ball while Manresa struggled with ball security proved decisive. The home team finished with 19 turnovers compared to Venice's 17, but more importantly, they couldn't convert their opportunities when they did have possession.
Ferran Bassas tried to facilitate for Manresa with six assists, but the home team's shooting percentages told the story of their struggles. Louis Olinde grabbed nine rebounds to lead the home side on the glass but could only convert 3-of-7 field goal attempts. Pierre Oriola pulled down six rebounds but shot a dismal 1-of-8 from the field, epitomizing Manresa's offensive frustrations.
Bench Production Makes the Difference
One of the key factors in Reyer Venice's victory was their superior bench production. Leonardo Candi provided valuable minutes with eight points and three assists, maintaining Venice's offensive flow when starters rested. His efficient 3-of-6 shooting and ability to facilitate kept the pressure on Manresa throughout his 18 minutes on court.
In contrast, BAXI Manresa's reserves struggled to make significant impact. Dani Perez managed just two points on 1-of-6 shooting with three turnovers, while Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu contributed four points but also committed three fouls in limited minutes. The disparity in bench production highlighted Venice's superior depth and rotation management.
Implications and Looking Ahead
This victory continues Umana Reyer Venice's strong campaign in the EuroCup, demonstrating their credentials as genuine contenders. Their ability to win on the road against quality opposition, particularly with such a dominant second-half performance, sends a clear message to their rivals. The team's balanced scoring and defensive intensity suggest they have the tools necessary for a deep playoff run.
For BAXI Manresa, this defeat represents a significant setback to their aspirations. Having won six of their previous seven games before this loss, including impressive victories over U-BT Cluj-Napoca and Neptunas Klaipeda, they will need to quickly regroup and address the offensive issues that plagued them in the second half. The nine-point fourth quarter was particularly concerning and suggests the team may be struggling with conditioning or mental toughness in closing games.
The 16-point margin of victory represented Venice's most comfortable win in recent weeks and demonstrated their ability to impose their style of play on opponents. As the EuroCup season progresses toward the playoff stages, performances like this one establish Venice as a team that other contenders will want to avoid. Their combination of American scoring punch from Cole and balanced contributions from European players creates matchup problems that few teams can solve consistently.
