The Galician side defeats Surne Bilbao 104-101 to secure their first win upon returning to the Liga Endesa, with Alonzo Verge putting on a dominant performance: 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists
A missed three-pointer by Frenchman Bastien Vautier prevented Surne Bilbao Basket from forcing a second overtime against Leyma Básquet Coruña, after they had erased a 9-point deficit in the final minute and a half of the fourth quarter with a 2-11 run capped by Darrun Hilliard with a spectacular buzzer-beating three-pointer.
Surne Bilbao arrived after nearly shooting 50 percent from three-point range against Kids&Us Manresa, but their perimeter shooters started the game with plenty of misses. Their first three-pointer came in the 12th minute—from Harald Frey—after seven attempts.
Despite this, Jaume Ponsarnau's team didn't fall apart, and even though in the closing stretch of the first quarter their opponent went on a run (22-16), punishing the black defense with offensive rebounds—four on the same possession.
The pace of play was extremely high and that caused some careless turnovers. Jaume Ponsarnau called his first timeout of the game when Leyma Coruña went on another run (42-35, min.17). His team raised their defensive intensity and Hilliard appeared on offense. The orange team's lead was just one point at halftime (46-45).
The tie remained in the third quarter despite Frey, with two three-pointers in quick succession, leading Surne Bilbao's momentary breakaway after a 0-8 run. The game would be decided in the final quarter, which started with a 0-5 run that forced Carles Marco to call timeout.
The orange coach's timeout was effective. His team answered back (6-0 run) and Ponsarnau had no choice but to stop Leyma Coruña's comeback, who relied on Alonzo Verge's individual brilliance to stay ahead on the scoreboard (79-75, min.34).
With just over four minutes remaining, the Galicians lost American George Conditt. Bilbao was scoring from the free throw line and Alonzo Verge continued putting everything into the orange team's possessions. A three-pointer from the corner brought Coruña closer to victory.
Ponsarnau called timeout (86-79) with two and a half minutes left. His team committed a couple of turnovers and Leyma Coruña extended their lead. But the players in black didn't give up.
At 90-85, Lithuanian Lukas Uleckas missed a free throw and American Luke Petrasek hit a quick three-pointer to extend the suffering of the Coruña fans. Two seconds remained. Bilbao fouled, and Jorgensen missed the first of his free throws. Ponsarnau called timeout because his team, with two seconds left, was going to have one final play to force overtime. Hilliard, with two defenders on him, silenced the Coliseum with his spectacular buzzer-beating three-pointer.
Leyma Coruña started overtime better, but the tie remained tight. Victory would be decided in the final seconds. Brazilian Caio Pacheco didn't miss from the free throw line to make it 104-101 with 11 seconds remaining. Bilbao had two shots, the second after an offensive rebound that gave them a second chance, but Petrasek and Vautier both missed.
Box Score:
104.- Leyma Coruña (22+24+23+22+13): Alonzo Verge (29), Jorgensen (9), Uleckas (14), George Conditt (6) and Silins (5) -starting five- Guillem Jou (2), Radoncic (6), Caio Pacheco (13), Dmytro Skapintsev (12), Jacobo Díaz (4) and Cuevas (4).
101.- Surne Bilbao (18+27+22+24+10): Frey (13), Normantas (16), Hilliard (17), Petrasek (11) and Hlinason (10) -starting five- Krampelj (9), Vautier (3), Darling (12), Font (2) and Somogyi (8).