92-80: UCAM also play Valencia led by the great Forest

UCAM Murcia showed another exhibition this Sunday, defeating Valencia Basket 92-80 thanks to the special brilliance of Michael Forrest (30 points in 24 minutes) and great teamwork, from which they added their ninth win in 11 days and took second place in the Endesa League.

Granas, who defeated Joventut de Badalona 80-77 last Sunday to take third place, entered this match having won their last three league games and on a six-game winning streak in the FIBA ​​Europa Cup. Talonjas, on the other hand, featured for Palace and also had an outstanding performance in the Euroleague. In this tournament, they are in 3rd place in ACB with only one loss.

The game started with the visitors in better form (5-10 and 7-12) and the referee allowing some intense play in both zones. Gian Montero’s triple made it 8-15, and Cito Alonso called a timeout. With the call-up to the branch in effect and an American point guard with a Jamaican passport coming off the bench, the college players did their damage in the first quarter as Forest did the damage with nine points, including a triple, completing a 9-2 run to tie the game at 17 points. Pedro Martínez then stopped the attack from the wing, giving the team from the capital Turia an advantage and ending the first quarter 19-21.

The game remained a draw, and Forest came on, giving his team a four-point advantage (29-25, 31-27, 34-30). Valencians, trying to strengthen their defence, initially resisted local attacks and managed to equalize at 34 points. But the final seven points of the first quarter came from Granas, and that’s where Howard Sanluz came in to make it happen. So the score at halftime was 41-34, with the rebounding battle clearly in favor of the home team (24 catches compared to 15).

The game restarted with Dylan Ennis doing the damage, and his triple made it 46-36, triggering UCAM. Two consecutive goals by Devonte Cacok, the second of which was a spectacular dunk after catching the ball in mid-air off a pass from Forrest, increased his team’s lead to +16 (56-40 at the midway mark of the third quarter).

Cito’s team didn’t let up, especially Will Faulk and his constant jump to rebounds, who would finish with 13 points as the team reached 61-44. However, Valencia Basket made it 3-3 with triples from Darius Thompson and Josep Puerto and a 2+1 from Jaime Pradilla. The final quarter would start with a fairly close score of 63-55.

The first basket of the final period came from Thompson as Pedro Martinez’s team continued to push for a comeback. However, UCAM took control of the situation as Forrest claimed it was. His second triple made the score 77-63, and he had already reached 21 points.

technical sheet

UCAM Murcia-Valencia Basket, 92-80

92. UCAM Murcia Club Balonsest (19+22+22+29): DeJulius (7), Ennis (18), Laieste (7), Hicks (-), Cate (2) (starting 5), Cacoc (9), Michael Forrest (30), Saint-Luce (10), Radebeau (7), Falk (2).

80. Valencia Basketball Club (21+13+21+25): Darius Thompson (13), Badiou (6), Kameron Taylor (11), Pradilla (9), Reuvers (4) (starting 5), Puerto (5), De Larrea (2), Key (2), Montero (4), Moore (15), Costello (9).

Referees: Emilio Pérez Pizarro, Alfonso Olivares Iglesias, Iyan González Gálvez. There are no exclusions.

Incident: Match corresponding to the 11th day of the Endesa Basketball League. It took place at the Murcia Sports Palace, with 7,406 spectators in the stands.

Omari Moore answered twice from long range to make it 77-69 going into the final five minutes, and Matt Costello’s triple in the fourth minute made it 79-72. 83-77, with 1:15 left in the game, Braxton Key fouled Ennis’ 3-point shot and protested the call. This technique was difficult for them, and UCAM made four free throws, essentially clinching the victory.

Forest scored a technical goal, and Ennis also had an outstanding score with 18 points, scoring two of the next three points (86-77). Two counter-attacks by Forest and San Luz sent the Palace into a frenzy and the final score was 92-80, confirming the locals’ excellent start to the league.