MoraBanc Andorra Beats Baxi Manresa 104-94 to End Home Losing Streak, Matches Rivals' Wins

MoraBanc Andorra secured a crucial 104-94 victory over Baxi Manresa in their Liga ACB match at the sold-out Pavelló Toni Martí, marking their ninth win of the season and matching the tally of relegation rivals after defeats for Burgos and Zaragoza. Despite remaining in the drop zone on tiebreakers, the result—before a record 3,519 fans—fulfilled coach Žan Tabak's pre-game call to transform the "Bombonera" into a key stronghold, ending a three-game home losing streak.

The win extended Andorra's rare streak to two following their Tenerife upset, with Artem Pustovyi dominating for 27 points and strong rebounding to overpower Manresa's interior. Shannon Evans added 21 points with sharp outside shooting, while Sir Jabari Rice contributed 22, including clutch drives, a game-sealing triple, and key plays amid constant back-and-forth action. Andorra maintained a slim lead throughout, capitalizing on Manresa's inconsistent shooting despite the visitors' recent momentum.

Play opened with intense exchanges, Andorra grabbing a 19-12 edge on Pustovyi, Aron Best, and Yves Pons efforts. Agustín Ubal and Troy Knudsen pulled Manresa level at 26-26 before Keith McKoy's three edged ahead to 29-28 after one quarter.

Alex Reyes started the second with five points for a 29-32 Manresa lead, forcing Tabak's timeout. Pustovyi, Rice, and Evans responded to build a 59-50 halftime advantage, weathering threes from Davis Steinbergs.

Manresa rallied post-break, closing to 61-57 via Pierre Oriola, Retim Obasohan, and Ferran Bassas. Evans and Pustovyi restored a double-digit gap, Rice pushing to 75-62 before Reyes and Bassas narrowed it to 76-70. Kostadinov and Rice steadied for 87-73 at the third-quarter mark.

Manresa cut to 87-81 early in the fourth, but Pons' left-handed three and Pustovyi's hook widened the margin. Pustovyi reached the 100-point team mark, a technical foul on Reyes helped, and Rice's late triple sealed it amid defensive rebounds.

MoraBanc Andorra: Evans 21, Best 7, Okoye 2, Pons 9, Pustovyi 27; Luz 6, McKoy 5, Kostadinov 2, Kuric 3, Rice 22, Ortega, Guerrero, Chumi Ortega 0. (21/26 FT, 22/37 2PT, 13/35 3PT, 40 rebounds: 25 defensive, 15 offensive; 29 fouls).

Baxi Manresa: Bassas 19, Duke 4, Reyes 15, Knudsen 8, Oriola 5; Obasohan 18, Steinbergs 9, Ubal 11, Kao/Akobundu 3, Paulicap 2, Fernández, Dani Pérez 0, Gerard F. 0. (24/37 FT, 17/34 2PT, 12/31 3PT, 36 rebounds: 22 defensive, 14 offensive; 26 fouls).

Partials: 29-28, 59-50, 87-73, 104-94. A minute's silence honoured Piculín Ortiz. Referees: Castillo, Olivares, Baena. No ejections.

Ahead of kickoff, Tabak had stressed home strength as a "pending challenge," noting five of eight prior wins came in 14 home games versus three in 15 away. He praised the crowd's role and urged defensive solidity against Manresa's aggressive, physical style. Andorra next visits Joventut Badalona on Thursday before hosting San Pablo Burgos in a relegation decider Sunday.