UCAM surprises Unicaja and turns the playoffs on its head

Sito Alonso deactivated Ibon Navarro’s plan to assault Martin Carpena and gain an advantage in this match against UCAM Murcia, which continues its dream season. Murcia’s side played an outstanding game from start to finish, taking the game into their own territory and neutralizing the strengths of Unicaja, who were anything but good and missed out on the success of key players such as Osetkowski, making a worrying error despite their 10 points. rating. Perry, fresh from injury, or reckless Carter with a -3 rating. Not a great enough game from Ejima. It was not supported.

UCAM showed a very complete game in all areas. with a stellar performance from Leva, who scored 23 points (22 PIR), 13 each from Rodion Kuruc and Santa Roos and eight rebounds from Moren. A good and almost perfect match to steal the home court factor and turn the situation on its head.

From the beginning to the end

UCAM Murcia started the game after Valencia finished. With a fast pace and tactics studied by Sito Alonso, with an alternative defense that makes the possessions of the Malaga team uncomfortable. The success of the Murcian trio in the first half (7/13 with an efficiency of 53%) complicated the situation on the ground.

For Unicaja, it was too similar to what they experienced in the Champions League semi-finals. recently played in Belgrade. In Karpen, the alarm goes off (34-41). Of the points scored by university students in the first 20 minutes, 14 were from Leva and 13 from Rodion Kurucs.

The second half starts with UCAM in the zone and two triples from Kalinoski (44-43 min. 12). The people of Malaga put pressure on Left, defending him. Melvin’s steal ends on the platter and Sito calls time. They are up 50-46 and the score is almost instantaneous at 14-5. Next comes a three from Hakanson and a four from Diagne (50-53). Now the partial is 0-7 and Ibon is asking for oxygen.

The game turns into a concession where Left is inspired and hits from all positions. Left’s three-pointer after winning the offensive rebound sent the Malaga team into shock (57-63 min. 28). Right after that, Carter misses a three. Dark clouds for locals. Osetkowski’s first three arrives, but it’s not Unicaja’s night, which trails by a 60-67 lead into the third quarter and Carter’s timely three (64-67:30).

Unaccustomed to being at a disadvantage, Unicaja seeks to assign merit based on the epic and the heart. Two triples from Carter and Alberto gave the locals back the lead (71-69 min.32), which was answered, in this case, by the excellent Sant Roos with four points in a row (71-74). Unfortunately for Unicaja, the first five points went to Radebeau, Valencia’s hero. Score at 35 minutes: 75-80. In desperation, Ibon asks for a life-saving time-out.

After two tough defeats to Unicaja, Sant Roos scores a near-winning three (75-83), decentralizing the unknown, bleeding and exhausted Unicaja. UCAM breaks the streak of consecutive defeats to Unicaja (four this season and two in the previous campaign) and takes the lead in the standings. Next Thursday is the second round in Karpen.

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