FC Barcelona recorded a victory in dramatic fashion over rivals Real Madrid to secure their first win away from home in the Top16 phase of the Euroleague, with Justin Doellman's late basket making the difference.
Doellman started the match brightly, with eight points without reply while Barça’s defence helped the visitors take a 10-2 lead early on. However, Real Madrid soon found their feet to reverse the score and end the opening period 27-17 ahead.
Madrid physical presence was causing problems for Barça, leading the Catalans to commit plenty of unforced errors. Even as Navarro began to find his rhythm, he was helpless in stopping the side from the capital take a 48-37 lead into the half-time break.
But hope was quickly restored in the third quarter as the Perperoglou fired 13 consecutive points to take Barça into the final period just one point behind Madrid.
Inspired by the Greek’s display, it was Doellman who would step up in the fourth period, putting Barça 65-63 ahead with immediate effect. In a frantic finish, even after Madrid had regained a five-point lead, the American rose to the plate to hand Barça an 87-86 win right at the death.
