Casademont Zaragoza rally to beat Unicaja 96-91

Casademont Zaragoza came from behind to beat Unicaja 96-91 in a hard-fought game. After allowing the visitors to seize the initiative, the Aragonese side found a way back in front and made the difference in the fourth quarter. They ended the third period with a 67-64 lead, then held off Unicaja’s response to the end.

Unicaja initially used its outside shooting to take control and move ahead. Perry and Noua got the attack going, with the Frenchman scoring early, while Lukosius also contributed from the perimeter. Birutis kept Casademont Zaragoza in touch and answered near the basket. Knox, making his first appearance in an Unicaja shirt, then helped the visitors regain the lead. Perry continued to hit from range as Birutis remained a force in the paint.

Casademont gradually changed the momentum but could not create a decisive gap: Hunt stopped the hosts from pulling away, while Noua continued to provide points for Unicaja. The final possessions before half-time, however, went the Aragonese side’s way, with Bell-Haynes and Brussino finishing the plays. Casademont went into the break ahead 43-38.

The visitors came out strongly after the interval. A spell led by Hunt and Perry ended with Kalinoski’s transition three-pointer, putting Unicaja in front 49-43 and prompting a home timeout. Birutis, with support from Vives and Bell-Haynes, then helped Casademont regain control. Pantzar and Knox contributed to Unicaja’s next push, as did Willy Hernangómez, but Brussino led the hosts late in the third quarter, which ended 67-64.

The final period remained finely balanced. Knox and Brussino traded scores, before Bell-Haynes and Brussino put Casademont back in front at 89-87 after a basket by Willy Hernangómez. Perry cut the deficit to 92-91 from the free-throw line. In the decisive stretch, Noua’s unsportsmanlike foul on Guillem Vives affected the finish; Jaworski then helped seal the home win from the line.

Brussino finished with 25 points and Birutis with 21 for Casademont. Perry scored 20 for Unicaja, while Noua and Knox had 17 apiece. The hosts’ win came from their ability to answer the visitors’ scoring runs and then protect their advantage as the game came down to one possession at a time.