Spar Girona achieved an important victory in Donostia on Round 24 of the LF Endesa, defeating IDK Euskotren 66-72. Despite the intense start from the home team, Girona managed to react thanks to an excellent performance from Mack, who scored 14 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and earned a valuation of 16. Along with 12 points from Bibby and Guerrero, the team found their offensive and defensive rhythm at key moments, ensuring a crucial win to stay at the top of the standings.
IDK Euskotren dominated the early stages of the game with points from Prieto, Massey, and Claessens. However, Girona stayed close on the scoreboard thanks to actions under the basket from Klara and second-chance points from Mack and Touré (9-8). Lara González’s entry into the game changed the dynamic, punishing the visitors with six consecutive points (15-8). After Sargatal’s timeout, the Uni responded with more accuracy from long range, with triples from Bibby and Guerrero (15-14). Pendande then broke the Girona run, but an assist from Sandra to Carol closed the quarter (17-16).
Pendande and Rosó regained the lead for IDK (21-16), but a strong attacking moment from Carol helped Spar come back and take a +2 lead (10 points, 21-23). The joy was short-lived, however, as Pendande dominated inside to keep IDK in the game (29-26). Lara González then hit a mid-range jumper to put Spar up by +6. Klara responded with a three-pointer, but Sargatal called another timeout to try and shift the momentum (32-29). The instructions paid off, as the Uni raised the defensive intensity and attack speed, playing a more team-oriented style. The Girona team scored inside with Mack and Lundquist, from mid-range with Bibby, and punished with two triples from Hristova (33-41).
Spar Girona kept the high offensive rhythm in the third quarter, scoring early through Bibby, Touré, and Klara. IDK fought to stay in the game with Claessens, who hit two three-pointers. However, the Uni focused its attacks inside, using Mack’s physicality to their advantage (41-51). In the blink of an eye, the Basques were only three points behind after baskets from Massey and Cornelius (48-51), prompting Sargatal to call another timeout. Girona then improved their attack, with points from Vi, Guerrero, and Sandra, but Cornelius’ efforts allowed IDK to cut the lead to just one (56-57). In the following possession, Bulgak nailed a three-pointer to give Euskotren the lead (59-58). Hristova had the chance to tie the game but only made one free throw (59-58).
With everything still to play for, Bulgak opened the final quarter with another three-pointer (62-58). However, Spar Girona capitalized on Mack’s physicality, going on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 64. González responded in the next play, but a 2+1 from Bibby put Spar back in front (66-67). Before the free throw, IDK called a timeout, and both coaches gave instructions for the final 2:52.
With full-court pressure, Spar successfully stopped IDK’s first attack, and in the next possession, the team’s fluid offense led to Bibby going to the free-throw line (66-69). Once again, Girona’s defense was key, and Ygueravide, after a well-worked play, hit a three-pointer (66-72). Mack sealed the victory with a spectacular block on one of IDK’s final attacks, and Spar Girona triumphed in Donostia 66-72.
