A sensational basket by Cory Higgins on the buzzer put Barcelona in the semifinals of the Endesa League after knock down a good Gran Canaria (86-88). With a little less than five seconds to go, the escort received, heeled to the right and, despite the catchy defense of Dylan Ennis, pocketed the ball. Remember his success against the Armani Miln in the semifinal of the Final Four from last year Michael Jordan’s godson, Higgins scored another ‘the shot’. There are a few.
technical sheet
- 86. Gran Canaria (18+28+20+20): Albicy (3), Brussino (5), Slaughter (4), Shurna (7) and K. Diop (15) -initial team-; Balcerowski (4), Pustovyi (8), Stevic (4), Chery (7), Salv (3) and Ennis (26).
- 88. FC Barcelona (15 + 26 + 22 + 25): Exum (4), Smits (), Laprovittola (17), Mirotic (21) and Calathes (5) -initial quintet-; B. Davies (10), S. Martnez (2), Oriola (4), Higgins (12), Kuric (-) and Jakubaitis (7).
The definitive recovery of the escortoperated on in February for plantar fasciitis, is as good news for Bara as the victory itself. There are not many players in Europe as decisive as Higgins when the ball burns. It is an extraordinary ‘signing’ for the final stretch of the season.
Sensational start for Khalifa Diop
Barcelona had to resort to the genius of one of its stars to break a Granca who dominated for a good part of the match and went on to enjoy a 10-point lead in the last quarter (76-66, min 32). The power of the young man imposed at the beginning Khalifa Diop. After he climbed on Ennis’s backwho finished with 26 points and scored the triple to the board that equaled 86. Then they would crush the feat.
NBA scouts will be rubbing their hands at Diop’s start. With his 2.11 meters and his 20 years, massacre the ring of Barawhich resorts to Smits as pvot in the absence of Sanli. The young Senegalese made nine points in the first quarter and reached halftime with 15 without fail. He endured the Bara despite losing the inner battle. The azulgranas went ahead with the first blows from Higgins (20-22).
They also helped Davies y Smitswhile on the local side it was Ennis who took command to leave his team on top in the intermission (44-41). Jasikevicius was not happy with the defense. And less he will be when Granca went 10 up after the restart (54-44). The pvots punished the azulgranas again, who did not take long to react.
Oriola appeared to put brega in the zone and a 0-9 adjusted the marker. Mirotic and Laprovittola lengthened the quarter to 6-19 that put his team ahead (60-63). El Granca struck back with a 16-3, including a three-pointer by Ennis at the buzzer in the third quarter. The yellows had the match on track (76-66), but they forgave. Niko and Nico took advantage of it while Ennis rested from more. When she came out she almost became a hero, but another Higgins ‘the shot’ awaited her. Bara will face Joventut or Lenovo Tenerife in the semifinals.
