Unicaja stay alive in Liga ACB semi-finals

Unicaja kept alive their Liga ACB semi-final series against Barcelona with an overtime win, while Real Madrid moved 2-1 ahead in their series against Valencia.

Barcelona led 57-46 during the third quarter of their potentially series-sealing game three in Malaga on Wednesday, only for the hosts at the Jose Maria Martin Carpena to fire back.

After 31- and 21-point defeats in games one and two, Unicaja were bound for another brutal loss - before Carlos Suarez, Fran Vazquez and Will Thomas saw the hosts to a brilliant comeback win.

Suarez finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds, Vazquez had eight and 13 respectively, while Thomas' five points and five rebounds seem feeble in comparison - but the American's contribution came during the critical overtime period.

After regulation finished 74-74, Thomas put all his points on the board in OT - and also pulled down a crucial offensive rebound.

Unicaja still trail the series 2-1, but host game four on Friday.

On Tuesday, Real Madrid were pushed to overtime by Valencia before earning a 103-100 victory.

Felipe Reyes (21 points) and Rudy Fernandez (20) helped power Real, while Sergio Llull (12 points, nine assists) narrowly missed a double-double.

There was late drama in regulation as Valencia's Luke Harangody had seemingly drained a buzzer-beater which would have given the hosts a 2-1 series lead.

But it was ruled out - and with scores level at 100-all late in the overtime period, it was Llull who drained a match-winning three with two seconds to play.

Real can seal the series when game four gets underway in Valencia on Thursday.