Another European win at the Palau Blaugrana, as the Barça basketball team claimed an 86-71 victory over Monaco 86-71 in a game played in an electric atmosphere. The blaugranes are now second in the table behind early front runners KK Crvena zvezda.

High octane start

Both teams came out as they meant to go on. Barça took an early lead before Monaco went +3 up. Kevin Punter and Jan Vesely then took the team back into the lead with three pointers and rebounds and Barça maintained at least a 5 point lead to the end of the quarter. The blaugranes were treating the fans, showing intensity in attack and solidity in defence, 26-18 at the end of the quarter.

From less to more

Keeping up the pace proved difficult for Barça at the start of the second and Monaco made the most of it to claw back the different and tie the game on 27 points. Peñarroya called a needed time out and his charges went from less to more, managing to restore the eight point lead by half-time.

Kevin Punter shines

Barça continued their onwards and upwards approach after the restart, and Kevin Punter again stepped up to lead the team with 18 points. His substitution with three minutes left saw a great ovation from the Palau crowd. The blaugranes’ level didn’t drop and they went on to extend their lead to 19 points and on the road to victory with a quarter to go.

Victory closed out

The final quarter saw more of the same from Barça and the win was sealed. There was still time for Jabari Parker to score some threes that had the fans at the Palau out of the seats. Another magical night, and now two EuroLeague wins in a row at the Palau. Next up, early leaders KK Crvena zvezda on 18 October in Belgrade.

GAME STATS

BARÇA 86
MONACO 71

Barça: Satoransky (13), Parker (22), Punter (0), Vesely (6) and Hernangómez (14) – starting five – Laprovittola (20), Abrines (21), Núñez (17), Anderson (1), Brizuela (8), Metu (10) and Fall (19).

Monaco: Blossomgame (4), Loyd (8), James (55), Jaiteh (14) and Motiejunas (20) – starting five – Papagiannis (9), Diallo (11), Tarpey (22), Begarin (23), Brown (30), Strazel (32), James (55) and Okobo (0)

Quarters: 26-18, 21-21 // 24-15, 15-17.

Referees: Tomislav Hordov, Anne Panther, Marcin Kowalski.