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may 30 2026ANDORRA LA VELLA. Barcelona needed overtime to overcome MoraBanc Andorra 95-100 in a high-stakes matchup in the Principality. Kevin Punter emerged as Barcelona's decisive force in the clutch moments, while Žan Tabak's squad celebrated their mathematical playoff survival in the Liga Endesa after a hard-fought battle that nearly ended in a prestigious upset.
The Andorran side pushed Barcelona to the brink and competed evenly for forty minutes, but ultimately fell short in overtime against the visitors' individual quality.
Barcelona dominated early. The blaugrana took advantage of MoraBanc Andorra's early jitters as the hosts faced a night loaded with tension and responsibility. Juani Marcos led the Barcelona attack with two early three-pointers and Fall provided solid interior presence to build the initial lead.
Xavi Pascual's squad enjoyed a twelve-point advantage (5-17), though the home team responded before the end of the first quarter thanks to Kyle Kuric and Justin McKoy's outside shooting, cutting the deficit to 15-19.
The second quarter brought one of the night's biggest stories with the return of Nico Laprovittola after several months sidelined by injury.
MoraBanc Andorra tightened their defense and managed to level the game. Although Barcelona opened a small gap midway through the quarter (26-34), the hosts found consistent answers and grew stronger as the minutes passed.
Kuric tied the score late in the second quarter, but a buzzer-beater from Tornike Shengelia allowed Barcelona to head into halftime with a slim advantage (39-41).
The momentum shifted after the break.
With survival increasingly likely based on results coming from other courts, MoraBanc Andorra began playing with greater freedom. Žan Tabak's squad elevated their defensive intensity and found in Rafa Luz a leader to turn the scoreboard around.
Barcelona began showing offensive inconsistencies and the hosts capitalized to close the third quarter ahead (62-61), buoyed by an arena that started believing in a perfect night.
The drama intensified in the final ten minutes. With the game wide open, MoraBanc Andorra received mathematical confirmation of their survival when Dreamland Gran Canaria's loss was confirmed.
Far from relaxing, the Principality squad continued competing with ambition. A three-pointer from Yves Pons made it 78-76 and shortly after Artem Pustovyi extended the lead to 80-76, bringing the hosts closer to a victory of enormous symbolic value.
However, Barcelona responded at the critical moment. Kevin Punter took offensive responsibility and hit a crucial three-pointer that tied the game at 86. Kuric had the final possession to decide the game, but couldn't find the mark and the contest went to overtime.
Punter's impact became definitive in the extra period.
The American shooting guard scored five consecutive points that tilted the game in Barcelona's favor and allowed the blaugrana to control the final minutes and seal the 95-100 victory.
With this win, Barcelona concludes the regular season keeping their Liga Endesa playoff aspirations intact. MoraBanc Andorra, meanwhile, celebrates hard-earned survival after spending fifteen matchdays in relegation positions and will continue another season among Spanish basketball's elite.
