Ludwigsburg runs away from Barcelona in second half

U18 Porsche Ludwigburg used a strong second half performance to pick up its first win at the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Qualifier Valencia with an impressive 81-64 victory over U18 FC Barcelona Lassa to remain in the running for Sunday’s title game. Ludwigsburg allowed just 20 points in the final 20 minutes and out-rebounded Barcelona 52-33 including 26 offensive rebounds. Ariel Hukporti collected 18 points and 8 rebounds, Radii Caisin had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals and Aeneas Jung chipped in 9 points and 12 rebounds to help Ludwigsburg improve to 1-1 in Group A. The 2016 continental champion Barcelona fell to 1-1 in the group despite Haris Bratanovic picking up 20 points and 6 rebounds.

With Barcelona up 4-6, Jung hit 5 points to lead a 9-2 surge for Ludwigsburg to go ahead 13-8. Lorenzo Guerrieri scored 2 baskets at the other end to put Barcelona back up 15-16 only to see Ludwigsburg nose ahead 19-16 after 10 minutes. Jacob Patrick knocked down back-to-back three-pointers and the advantage reached double digits 29-19. It was up to 36-23 before Adrian Rodriguez, Borja Fernandez and Haris Bratanovic all hit three-pointers in a 4-23 run as Barcelona went up 40-44 and led 42-44 at the break. Digbeu’s three-pointer put Spanish side up 45-47 but Barcelona collapsed and watched Ludwigsburg go on a 17-3 run the rest of the quarter to lead 62-50 after 30 minutes. Hukporti helped finish off Barcelona with 8 points in a 10-2 start to the fourth quarter - including two big dunks - for a 72-52 margin with more than 7 minutes to play. Ludwigsburg did not left off on the gas and only allowed Barcelona as close as 17 points the rest of the way.