Late push gives Barcelona tough win over Prague

FC Barcelona Lassa needed a fourth quarter run to put away U18 USK Future Stars Prague for good with a 78-71 victory in Group A at the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Qualifier Valencia. Haris Bratanovic collected 16 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks to lead the way for Barcelona while Tom Digbeu had 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, Matt Marsh Marsh scored 11 points and Borja Fernandez chipped in 10 points. Prague, which gave up a 10-0 spurt in the final frame, got 29 points including 5 three-pointers from David Bohm with Marek Vyroubal scoring 12 points and Kristian Kocab adding 8 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists in the loss.

After Prague led 6-7 early, Bratanovic scored two baskets for a 12-7 Barcelona lead. Martin Svoboda hit 6 points at the other end in a 4-13 surge and the Czech side was up 16-20. The game was even 20-20 after 10 minutes. Bohm knocked down two three-pointers but Barcelona led 31-30. Bohm continued to remain hot with 7 more points for a 34-39 Prague lead. Barcelona answered with the final 6 points of the half and led 40-39 at the break. Barcelona was never really able to pull away in the third quarter though Marsh had a three-point play in pushing the lead to 56-49. Bohm hit a triple at the other end and the gap was 56-54 and later 59-54 after 30 minutes. Prague opened the fourth quarter with a 2-6 spurt to pull within 61-60 but Barcelona delivered what appeared to be the knockout punch with Pol Mulio converting a three-point play and hitting a three-ball in a 10-0 run to make it 71-60 with 5 minutes to play. Prague had one more push left with the next 7 points but Bratanovic scored and then Pau Tendero nailed the dagger three-ball with 1:15 minutes left to make it 76-67.