Unicaja survive close call, Real and Joventut keep pressure on

RyanToolson - cropped

Liga ACB leaders Unicaja were made to work hard for a 77-74 triumph over MoraBanc Andorra.

With 14 wins from their previous 17 matches, Unicaja were heavy favourites to see off an Andorra outfit who have tasted victory only five times this season.

The start of the match did not go to form, though, as the underdogs recovered from 16-8 down to lead 17-16 at the end of the first quarter.

Ryan Toolson and Will Thomas led the revival with 33 points between them as Andorra surrendered a three-point advantage in the closing stages.

FIATC Joventut and Real Madrid also enjoyed success to move to 14 wins, the former beating Zaragoza 73-67.

Real, 31-times champions, won 88-80 at Gran Canaria.

Title holders Barcelona lost ground on the leading pack in a high-scoring loss to Laboral Kutxa.

David Bertans led the way with 19 points as Laboral prevailed 103-94, leaving them in the middle of a table propped up by Sevilla, who suffered an 82-61 reverse to Iberostar Tenerife.

Elsewhere, Bilbao won 91-85 at Fuenlabrada, Valencia overcame Murcia 81-63, La Bruixa d'Or downed Xacobeo Blusens 78-59, and Estudiantes returned from their trip to Lagun Aro with an 82-76 win.

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