Unicaja freezes UCAM Murcia

Unicaja took the first duel of this BCL tie that they ruled from start to finish against a UCAM Murcia that was unsuccessful in almost all aspects, among them the shot l of three that is one of their specialties. Only 9/27 including makeup in the garbage minutes- The people from Malaga commanded with authority, stole, ran, made quick counterattacks and, in short, made life impossible for the pepper growers who ended up raising the white flag and who must win the game next Wednesday, at their stadium, to force a third game that would be played again in Malaga. If Unicaja wins, they will qualify for the Final Four.

The tie was presented hot and tense between two teams with a dispute pending statements by the general director of UCAM, Alejandro Gómez, placing both Unicaja and BCL itself under suspicion. A factor to increase the decibels of a Carpena that this season, is ‘on fire’.

With an aggressive defense, those of Ibon Navarro begin by hindering the pepper pitchers. McFadden, Trice or Jelinek did not find comforts (11-3 min, 4). Eight points from Brizuela at 23-10 in the first set. With 30-12n (min. 12) Alberto Díaz leaves the court with a sprained left ankle. Setback. You may miss some games.

UCAM is brimming with both physical exhaustion and mistake in shooting and at 17′ Unicaja reached a 20-point difference (41-21). Mc Fadden, despite his 1/6 in triples, adds seven points at 45-27 with which the intermission is reached.

After the restart, UCAM increases its already famous aggressiveness in defense without fine-tuning his aim (61-36 min. 24). Thomas and Kravish are relentless under the board. Site looking for reset. The stands roar to the rhythm of the beautiful anthem by Pablo López and Pustovyi, the only argument in attack, it is not enough and on top of that it has four personalities. The third quarter offers a comfortable 68-45. And the final stretch starts with a triple, as incredible as it may seem, from… Yankuba Sima.

With a dedicated opponent, Unicaja played at pleasure, shooting up the distance to 76-48 (min. 34). Carpena ignites with a disqualifying technique to Barreiro, who enters the rag in one of the classic tricks of Sadiel Rojas. More fuel to the fire. Brizuela, irrepressible and with an increasingly excellent level of play, places the triple from 79-49 with five minutes to go. Shortly after, a knee from Diop on Kravish was reviewed, which was resolved with a foul in attack and little else. Immediately afterwards, unsportsmanlike for Carter who helped UCAM to make up his hit. Victory without anesthesia for Unicaja to get 1-0 in the series. Next stop, next week in Murcia. It will be anything but calm because there is a lot at stake and pending accounts.