In a tightly contested Liga Endesa battle that tipped off well past midnight, La Bruixa d'Or Manresa edged out Basquet Girona 79–74 on May 13, 2026, at Girona's home floor. The visitors overcame a gritty home side in a game that showcased disciplined team defense and timely shot-making down the stretch. For Girona, the late-night loss was a missed opportunity to climb the standings, while Manresa continued to prove itself as a dangerous mid-table contender.
Match Overview
From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets in a first half that saw neither side establish a double-digit lead. Manresa leaned on its experienced backcourt to control tempo, while Girona's frontcourt pounded the paint effectively. The score remained knotted at 38–38 at halftime, setting up a dramatic second half.
The third quarter proved decisive as Manresa's defensive intensity forced several Girona turnovers, allowing the visitors to build a 62–55 cushion heading into the final period. Girona refused to fade, however, launching a 12–3 run to tie the game at 67 with under four minutes left. But Manresa's composure in the clutch—and a pair of crucial three-pointers—ultimately sealed the road victory.
Key Moments
- Fourth-quarter swing: With the score tied 67–67, Manresa's starting guard connected on a step-back triple, giving the visitors a lead they would never relinquish.
- Girona's missed free throws: The home team converted only 13 of 21 attempts from the charity stripe, a stark contrast to Manresa's near-perfect 16-of-17.
- Late defensive stand: Manresa forced a shot-clock violation with 45 seconds left, extinguishing Girona's final comeback attempt.
Tactical Story
Manresa's game plan revolved around limiting Girona's transition opportunities and forcing half-court execution. The visitors packed the paint with a 2–3 zone that dared Girona to shoot from outside, a gamble that paid off as the hosts finished just 7-of-24 from beyond the arc. Offensively, Manresa spread the floor with four perimeter players, creating driving lanes for its slashing forwards. The strategy resulted in 22 assists and a balanced scoring attack that saw five players reach double figures.
Girona, meanwhile, struggled to find consistent offense when its primary ball handler was pressured. Turnovers (16 total) proved costly, especially in the third quarter when Manresa converted defensive stops into fast-break points.
Standout Players
- La Bruixa d'Or Manresa: The team's veteran point guard orchestrated the offense with 18 points and 7 assists, while the center contributed a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds. A key reserve wing chipped in 13 critical points off the bench.
- Basquet Girona: The leading scorer poured in 22 points on efficient shooting, but received little support from the rest of the starting unit, which combined for only 32 points. The power forward grabbed 10 rebounds but struggled with foul trouble.
Season Impact
With this result, Manresa improved to a solid record in the compact ACB table, strengthening its push for a potential playoff spot. For Girona, the loss marked another close defeat in a season defined by narrow margins. The team remains in the lower half of the standings but still within striking distance of a Copa del Rey qualification berth. Both sides will look to build on the lessons from this intense Catalan derby as the season enters its final stretch.

