EUROLEAGUE - Cabezas, Unicaja survive against Lietuvos Rytas in Euroleague

MALAGA (Euroleague) - Unicaja Malaga won a battle of high-fliers against Lietuvos Rytas to grab the lead in Group B and Barcelona won impressively at Lottomatica Roma in Group C in Euroleague action on Wednesday.

Carlos Cabezas, the back-up point guard on Spain’s national team, penetrated into the lane and scored with 2.5 seconds remaining to lift Unicaja to a 71-69 triumph.

Australia’s Matt Nielsen had a chance to win the game at the buzzer but his attempt from three-point range hit the back and then rim before staying out.

Unicaja had been in control late on but 65-54 in the fourth quarter but the Lithuanian side, who lost for the first time last week, would end up tying the game at 69-69 on a jumper by Chuck Eidson.

The former University of South Carolina standout scored seven of his game-high 18 points in that game-tying surge.

But Cabezas put Unicaja back in front and they won to improve to 5-1 with Lietuvos Rytas falling to 4-2.

Italy international Gianluca Basile scored 14 of his 15 points in the first half as Barcelona established an early lead and held on for a 74-65 triumph at Lottomatica Roma.

Basile had eight points, six coming on his two shots from beyond the arc, in the opening period as Barca opened up a 22-9 lead.

They would lead by as many as 17 in the first half and the mountain proved to be too big for Roma to climb in their comeback attempt.

Jordi Trias, the unlucky player to miss out on Spain’s EuroBasket campaign when he was the last cut right before the start of the tournament, had 10 points and nine rebounds while Croatia center Mario Kasun finished with 18 on seven of eight shooting from the floor.

Barca are 4-2 while Roma are now 1-4.

Brose Baskets Bamberg broke into the win column by upsetting Partizan Belgrade at home, 78-62, and Aris are level with Lietuvos Rytas in Group B at 4-2 after a 67-64 home win over Efes Pilsen, who dropped to 3-3.

Cibona Zagreb also improved to 3-3 in Group B with a 91-71 win over winless Le Mans.

Montepaschi Siena are third in Group A at 4-2 after winning big on the road, 84-59 at Prokom Trefl Sopot, who are bottom of that pool at 1-5.

FIBA