InBL Pro U25 2025: Lucas Barker’s clutch heroics lift Punjab Warriors to thrilling win over Gujarat Stallions

Playing without star player Gurbaz Sandhu, the Warriors had to step up, while the Stallions were also missing their key player, Trendon Hankerson. However, Joshua Duach rose to the occasion, scoring an impressive 29 points in the game.

The Stallions started strong, with Duach slicing through Punjab’s defense effortlessly. Meanwhile, the Warriors struggled to find their rhythm, and an emphatic block by Nate Roberts on Dibiamaka set the tone early. By the end of the first quarter, Gujarat had built a commanding 10-point lead.

The second quarter saw a three-point shooting battle unfold, with Perry and Duach striking from deep for Gujarat, while Boston Mazlin kept Punjab in contention. As the clock wound down, Brijesh Tiwari and Vaisakh Manoj closed the gap to three, but Tushal Singh and Amarendra Nayak responded quickly, pushing the Stallions’ lead back to nine at halftime.

Also Read: InBL Pro U25 2025: Latest schedule, fixtures, results, and live streaming details

Punjab found their spark in the third quarter by dominating the offensive boards and capitalizing on second-chance points through Stokley Chaffee. Despite Duach’s relentless scoring, Gujarat stretched their lead to 14, but Punjab clawed their way back, thanks to crucial plays from Manoj, Tiwari, and Taane Samuel, reducing the deficit to just five points heading into the final period.

With everything on the line, the Warriors turned up their defensive intensity. Chaffee and Samuel led the charge, making it a one-point game as both teams battled fiercely for every possession. However, Punjab found themselves in foul trouble midway through the quarter.

Samuel’s aggressive drives finally handed Punjab their first lead of the game, but Tushal Singh responded with a clutch three-pointer, putting Gujarat back in front. With only eight seconds left, Barker made a critical steal and finished a fast-break layup to tie the game. But Duach answered immediately with a quick basket under the rim, restoring Gujarat’s two-point lead with five seconds remaining.

Then came the defining moment—executing a perfectly designed play, Barker pulled up for a running three-pointer at the buzzer, sinking it in spectacular fashion to complete Punjab’s incredible comeback and seal a dramatic 74-73 victory.

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