On March 2, 2025, Baskonia suffered yet another defeat when they faced MoraBanc Andorra, culminating in a final score of 93-88. This match, part of the 21st Round of Liga Endesa, exhibited the team's persistent struggles, particularly highlighted by their lapse during the game’s middle quarters.
The first quarter began on a competitive note, with both teams exchanging leads. Baskonia managed to establish an early advantage, closing the first period with a score of 24-18, largely thanks to effective shooting from beyond the arc. Trent Forrest, who was pivotal for Baskonia, scored 17 points, propelling the team with his offensive efforts.
Despite Baskonia's positive start, the game took a turn during the second quarter. The team, coached by Pablo Laso, failed to maintain their momentum and became noticeably stagnant. Andorra took full advantage, launching on an impressive run, outscoring Baskonia 25-17, and leading at halftime by just two points, 43-41.
The trend continued after the break. The pivotal third quarter saw Baskonia struggle defensively, allowing Andorra to put together another significant scoring spree, where they dominated 31-20. Joan Plaza, the head coach for Andorra, capitalized on his team’s performance, as Jerrick Harding and Sekou Doumbouya led the charge with 21 and 18 points respectively.
Baskonia did show signs of life during the final quarter, narrowing the gap to as little as three points, largely fueled by back-to-back three-pointers from Nikos Rogkavopoulos and Tim Luwawu-Cabarrot. But the efforts were too late to clinch the victory. Final plays saw Harding’s free throws seal the game for Andorra.
The intensity of the match was palpable, with both teams fighting hard for victory. Fans at the Polideportivo Toni Martí witnessed the struggle of Baskonia as they recorded their eleventh defeat of the season, leaving them with a record of 10 wins and 11 losses.
Looking at the statistics, Chima Moneke was another standout for Baskonia with 14 points and 5 rebounds. His contributions were significant; sadly, they were overshadowed by the team's general inconsistency. Both teams had periods of high scoring, but it was Baskonia’s inability to stay connected defensively during key moments of the game, especially between the second and third quarters, that cost them dearly.
With the contest concluding, Baskonia will shift their focus toward upcoming matches. They will face Zalgiris Kaunas on Thursday at home, followed by another matchup against Dreamland Gran Canaria on Sunday. These games present opportunities for Baskonia to regroup and regain their footing as they look to break free from their recent struggles.
This latest defeat emphasizes the need for Baskonia to address their defensive strategies and improve their consistency on both ends of the floor as they aim to qualify for the playoffs. The team has shown flashes of brilliance, but without sustained performance, they will continue to find themselves on the losing side of the scoreboard.