Perasović Gets First Win with Kosner Baskonia (106-83)

Kosner Baskonia needed a victory to breathe, and found it against the most favorable opponent in the Liga Endesa. Before 7,194 spectators at Fernando Buesa Arena, the Vitoria team defeated Kids&Us Manresa and gave Velimir Perasović his first win since arriving at the helm. It was not a smooth game: Manresa turned the score around in the third quarter, and Baskonia had to rely on its outside talent to finish with 106 points, their best offensive output of the season.

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Simmons ignites the game

The start was slow and Manresa moved better near the basket. Baskonia entered the game from the free throw line, until Kobi Simmons changed the pace with three consecutive three-pointers. His eleven points in that stretch sustained a 11-0 run that closed the first quarter at 30-22. Nicolás Ongenda's third foul at the start of the second quarter affected Diego Ocampo's interior rotation, although his team stayed close thanks to defense. A three-pointer by AJ Lawson left it at 50-40 at halftime.

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Manresa turns the score around and Stewart responds

Manresa came out of the locker room much more focused. With Yordan Minchev dominating the boards, they posted a 6-18 run in just four minutes and took the lead. That's when the Baskonia of recent weeks, the one prone to disconnections, could have reappeared, but this time it responded.

DJ Stewart took control with penetration baskets and mid-range shots, Simmons and Lawson accelerated the pace and Vitoria's defense forced turnover after turnover: Manresa finished with 22. A 24-4 run closed the third quarter at 83-64 that left the game practically decided. The final quarter, more fragmented, only served to extend the lead, which reached 26 points.

Relief for Baskonia, more doubts for Manresa

For Baskonia, the victory provides relief amid a very difficult European start and comes as the club negotiates the signing of Jabari Parker. Manresa, meanwhile, has lost six straight games and is the only team in the Liga Endesa that has yet to win.