Kids&Us Manresa Gets First Win Against Ulm (101-89)

Kids&Us Manresa finally got on the board this season. After three consecutive defeats across Liga Endesa and EuroLeague competition, Diego Ocampo's team opened their account at Nou Congost with a 101-89 victory over ratiopharm Ulm in Group D's second matchday. They did so on the back of three-point shooting and stellar performances from Timmy Allen (30 points) and JD Notae (20 points).

A second quarter from beyond the arc

The first quarter was closely contested, with Manresa trying to impose their pace without pulling away. The game broke open in the second quarter when Ocampo's side strung together three-pointer after three-pointer. By halftime, Manresa had made 9 of 14 from three-point range and held a commanding lead that put the game firmly in their control.

Ulm tightens the screws

After the break, ratiopharm Ulm ramped up their defensive intensity and began chipping away at the deficit. Back-to-back three-pointers from Devin Schmidt cut the home team's lead to single digits, and the German comeback continued into the fourth quarter. A basket from Simisola Shittu forced Ocampo to call a timeout with his team struggling offensively and watching the game slip away.

Bassas sets the tempo

The timeout worked. JD Notae and Nick Ongenda scored consecutive baskets that restored some breathing room for Manresa, and Ferran Bassas took control from the point guard position to dictate the pace of the fourth quarter. Ulm could not find a way to complete the comeback, and Manresa closed out the game without further drama.

The victory comes at a crucial moment. Manresa had suffered a 93-78 loss to PAOK in Thessaloniki in their EuroLeague debut, and in Liga Endesa they have two defeats, most recently at home against Río Breogán (95-101) on Saturday. They now even their EuroLeague record at 1-1 and visit Real Madrid on Sunday at 12:00.