ESP – Llull late show saves Madrid in OT win at Lagun Aro GBC

SAN SEBASTIAN (ACB) - Lagun Aro GBC were just seconds away from upsetting Real Madrid on Thursday night but Spain international Sergio Llull came to the rescue and fired the visitors to an 88-78 overtime triumph.

With the hosts on top 76-73, Madrid looked for a game-tying three-pointer in the closing seconds and got it from Llull.

A Carlos Suarez hit the back of the rim and stayed out, but Madrid’s Croatian center Ante Tomic batted the ball out to Llull on the perimeter and with 5.6 seconds left, his three-ball from the right corner fell through the hoop to knot the game.

Lagun Aro then turned it over while attempting to inbound the ball and Madrid's Argentina international Pablo Prigioni had a chance to win with a wide-open three at the buzzer but missed and the contest went to overtime.

Tomic then scored the first two baskets in the extra period to put the visitors in front to stay as they improved to 19-5.

The victory was the second in a row for Madrid following coach Ettore Messina's decision to step down at the weekend.

His long-time assistant coach, Emanuele Molin, is now the head coach of Madrid.

Llull was four of seven from behind the arc and finished with 21 points.

Lagun Aro, who honored local resident and 2012 Ryder Cup captain Jose Marie Olazabal before the game, fell to 9-15.

Andy Panko had a game-high 31 points and pulled down eight rebounds for Lagun Aro.

The veteran forward from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is the front-runner to be named Player of the Week as he had a valuation of 41.

The honor will not be announced until the conclusion off CAI Zaragoza's home clash with Fuenlabrada next Wednesday.

Regal Barcelona remained a game clear of Madrid in first place at 20-4 by winning 73-60 at home over Cajasol Sevilla.

Juan Carlos Navarro had 16 points for Barca while fellow Spain national team star Fran Vazquez added 10 points and eight boards.

Vazquez played only 18 and a half minutes, though, after spraining his left ankle.

DKV Joventut bounced back from their heavy defeat at Real Madrid and beat Blancos de Rueda Valladolid, 84-74.

Will McDonald poured in 24 points and corralled 11 rebounds for DKV, who improved to 12-12.

Alex Mumbru had 17 points as Bizkaia Bilbao Basket prevailed 76-71 at Meridiano Alicante.

Bilbao leapfrogged Power Electronics Valencia into fourth place.

FIBA