FC Barcelona edges Real Madrid

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid renewed their high-profile rivalry on Sunday.

Not surprisingly, it was an entertaining contest throughout in Madrid.

FC Barcelona coach Sarunas Jasikevicius’ team built a sizable advantage in the fourth quarter and held off the Whites’ frenetic rally, prevailing 87-82.

Mirotic sparks FC Barcelona

Former NBA forward Nikola Mirotic, who acknowledged earlier this year that returning to Europe was a positive move for his basketball career, sparked the victors with 26 points and 10 rebounds. In a balanced team effort, Kyle Kuric chipped in with 14 points and Adam Hanga and Pere Oriola both had 10.

Mirotic had 14 points in the opening quarter of the Spanish Liga Endesa match.

It was the rivals’ third Clasico encounter this season.

Second-half surge

The visitors shattered the halftime deadlock (46-all) with a strong start in the third quarer. In the 22nd minute, they led 51-46.

But it was in the fourth quarter that FC Barcelona put its stamp on the game.

Mirotic and his teammates extended their lead to 84-72 with 4 minutes remaining.

Real Madrid’s Gabriel Deck scored 12 points and Walter Tavares had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Sergio Llull added 11 points, including 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, for the hosts.

Liga Endesa Records

Real Madrid fell to 14-1 in league play, while FC Barcelona improved to 13-3.