LUGO. Rio Breogán defeated Asisa Joventut 93-86 on Sunday in the Liga Endesa, a crucial victory to keep European playoff hopes alive while halting the Catalan side's push for a top-four finish. Dominik Mavra led the Galician team with 18 points and a brilliant closing stretch, while Ricky Rubio's 21 points proved insufficient for the visitors.
The game started with an early 0-5 advantage for Asisa Joventut, but Rio Breogán's response was immediate. The team directed by Luis Casimiro took control of the pace with a balanced offensive approach, strong energy on the offensive glass, and excellent three-point shooting. That combination allowed the home side to build a solid lead and force their opponent to play from behind.
Rio Breogán found its best weapon in the three-pointer throughout the afternoon. With 13 three-pointers made, the Lugo team punished every defensive lapse by Asisa Joventut. They built an eight-point lead (36-28), but the visitors responded thanks to the efforts of Kraag and Hunt, who kept the Catalan team in the game with a 2-10 run to get back into contention.
After halftime, Asisa Joventut managed to regain the lead (38-40) after trailing for much of the first half. It was the moment of greatest visiting threat, but Rio Breogán responded with character. Two consecutive three-pointers from Keandre Cook and Mihailo Andric restored momentum to the Galician side and energized the home crowd.
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Dani Miret's decision to play two point guards provided balance for several minutes, but the game changed definitively late in the third quarter. That's when Dominik Mavra emerged, scoring seven consecutive points as part of a 12-2 run that gave Rio Breogán a commanding lead. The 67-58 score at the end of the third period left the home team in a very favorable position to secure the victory.
In the fourth quarter, Asisa Joventut felt the absence and physical limitations in the paint. Without Tomic and with Birgander severely limited, the Catalan team struggled to find answers near the basket. The minimal contribution from Michael Ruzic also hampered the visitors, who were unable to consistently cut into the deficit.
Only Ricky Rubio's competitive pride, with 21 points and a 23 rating, kept Joventut's hopes alive in the final minutes. However, when the game demanded composure, Mavra appeared again with a deep three-pointer with just over a minute remaining that sealed the victory and confirmed Rio Breogán's 93-86 win.
This victory strengthens Rio Breogán's European candidacy in the Liga Endesa, while Asisa Joventut loses an important opportunity in the fight for home-court advantage in the playoffs.
The Lugo team emerges strengthened after defeating one of the top-tier contenders, while the Catalan side must respond in the next matchday to avoid complicating their playoff objective.