MANRESA — Kosner Baskonia claimed a crucial victory in Liga Endesa play, defeating BAXI Manresa 83-88 at Nou Congost in a tightly contested matchup decided in the final minute. The win extends Baskonia's winning streak to four consecutive games and underscores the Vitoria club's impressive form. Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot led the way with 27 points, while Trent Forrest added 20 in the road victory.
BAXI Manresa came out aggressive from the opening tip, fully aware of the importance of the matchup in their bid to escape the lower reaches of the Liga Endesa standings. The hosts came out with energy and found quick advantages thanks to strong shooting from Reyes and Brooks, who sparked an early 14-6 run in the first four minutes against a cold-shooting Baskonia offense.
The visiting head coach made early substitutions in search of a response. The introduction of Ousmane Diakite and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot provided greater offensive dynamism for Kosner Baskonia, though the shooting touch remained elusive. Despite improved ball movement, the visitors trailed at the end of the first quarter (25-21).
The second period maintained the tight tone of the contest. Fouls, constant contact, and several stoppages slowed the pace of play, which notably reduced scoring. In that physical context, Baskonia flipped the scoreboard for the first time (31-32, 16:00). BAXI Manresa, struggling to find accuracy from outside—particularly from three-point range—allowed the Vitoria squad to reach halftime with a slight advantage (41-44).
After the break, Kosner Baskonia capitalized on Catalan mistakes to open the game's first significant lead. With clearer offensive execution and punishing each local turnover, the Vitoria team pulled away to 46-54 midway through the third quarter.
But BAXI Manresa refused to quit. A three-pointer from Ubal, breaking a long drought from beyond the arc, gave the home team hope and sparked a comeback. Duke Jr. added to the momentum with a spectacular dunk in his debut with the Manresa squad. Together they led a 13-4 run that restored complete parity by the end of the third quarter (65-65).
The fourth quarter became a constant exchange of blows. Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot took on offensive responsibilities for Baskonia with five consecutive points, while BAXI Manresa answered with scoring from Reyes and interior presence from Akobundu, keeping the game tied with four minutes remaining (74-74).
With the score tied at 81 in the final minute, Trent Forrest stepped up. The Kosner Baskonia point guard hit a crucial and-one that broke the deadlock and put the visitors ahead. On the next possession, Bassas missed a three-pointer that could have restored BAXI Manresa's advantage, and Luwawu-Cabarrot sealed the 83-88 final from the free-throw line.
With this result, Kosner Baskonia strings together four consecutive Liga Endesa victories and improves to 18-7, provisionally tied with Valencia Basket in the upper reaches of the standings. BAXI Manresa, meanwhile, suffers its fourth consecutive loss and remains in a precarious position in the table, still needing to mathematically secure ACB survival.
83 - BAXI Manresa (25+16+24+18): Brooks (13), Ubal (9), Reyes (16), Knudsen (2) and Akobundu (9), -starting five-, Duke Jr (11), Bassas (15), Steinbergs (-), Paulicap (-), Oriola (8), Naspler (-) and Bergseng (-).
88 - Kosner Baskonia (21+23+21+23): Villar (3), Forrest (20), Radzevicius (-), Omuroyi (14), Edwards (1), -starting five-, Diakite (9), Simmons (7), Luwawu-Cabarrot (27), Spagnolo (2), Frisch (3), Hrabar (-) and Joksimovic (2).