Unicaja beat Pardubice 79-63 in the Czech Republic

Unicaja beat BK KVIS Pardubice 79-63 in the Basketball Champions League in the Czech Republic, claiming its second win of the season in the competition. The game at Enteria Arena in Pardubice tested the Spanish side’s ability to answer its opponents’ runs: after taking the lead, Unicaja regained control and built a decisive advantage after the break.

Pantzar and Noua opened with a 5-0 run for Unicaja, but the home response followed quickly. As Unicaja began to make mistakes, the Czech side put together a 6-0 stretch, capped by a Moffatt three-pointer. Kravish, Kalinoski and Perry then led a 9-0 run that put Unicaja back in front. The teams traded baskets and Pardubice stayed close, but Unicaja finished the first quarter ahead.

The contest remained tight when Noua made a three-pointer to give his side some breathing room: Pardubice moved within 28-30. Noua answered with another three to keep Unicaja in front. Perry then extended the gap from outside, making it 41-31. Key halted that spell with a dunk, but Kravish and Noua added to Unicaja’s advantage before the break, with the score at 45-33.

Pardubice came out after half-time intent on cutting the deficit. Unicaja tightened its defence and, after a Barreiro three-pointer, took a 16-point lead into the final quarter at 64-48. The hosts kept pushing and tried to make up ground from beyond the arc. Bonham and Moffatt cut the margin to 71-56, but Unicaja prevented the game from becoming a genuine late threat. Perry scored from long range again, before Noua and Kalinoski sealed the 79-63 win.

Kendrick Perry led Unicaja, finishing with 15 points, seven assists, three rebounds and a rating of 21. Noua also made a major contribution, with 20 points and four units in the accompanying performance figure. For Unicaja, the result reflected both its ability to regain control after Pardubice’s runs and the lead it built before half-time and maintained to the finish.