The Unicaja de Málaga once again mounted a thrilling comeback to secure a hard-fought victory in the Andalusian derby against Covirán Granada, winning 95-78. Coach Ibon Navarro’s team had to bring their A-game in the final quarter, where a 26-7 run sealed the win after an intense battle that saw the visiting team lead for much of the game. The Granada squad, led by Pablo Pin, maintained their lead for three quarters, thanks in part to standout performances from Tillie, who scored 23 points, and Osetkowski and Perry, who each added 16 points. The Malaga team also impressed with a 6/10 three-point shooting streak in the last 10 minutes.
As the game got underway, Unicaja struggled to find their rhythm, a familiar problem for the team. The visitors, led by Rubén Guerrero, who received a warm welcome back in Málaga, quickly took the lead, with triples from Bamforth, Rousselle, and Noua helping them to an 8-18 advantage just 6 minutes into the game. This forced Unicaja to regroup and respond. It was then that the home team, driven by Tillie and especially Perry, began to close the gap. The return of Alberto Díaz from injury and the energy of Tyson Carter allowed Unicaja to reduce the deficit, although Ubal’s precision from the line kept Granada ahead by 9 points at the end of the first quarter.
Tillie and Perry Lead Unicaja’s Comeback
The second quarter saw Unicaja find their footing, with Tillie and Osetkowski contributing key triples to tie the game at 27. Noua, the top scorer for Covirán Granada, responded with five consecutive points, but Pablo Pin’s team struggled to contain Unicaja’s defensive pressure. Concerned about the accumulating fouls on Kam Taylor and Rubén Guerrero, Pin adjusted his strategy. However, the visitors were unable to stop Unicaja’s momentum, especially as the first half drew to a close, with Bamforth scoring three free throws on the buzzer to make it 43-48.
A Strong Covirán in Rebound and Defense
Covirán Granada’s dominance in rebounding and defensive intensity were crucial, but the third quarter began with good news for the visitors as Ndiaye led their attack, helping them to a 12-point lead midway through the quarter. However, Unicaja reacted strongly, with Tillie leading the charge. The French player scored 10 consecutive points, while his team increased their defensive intensity, managing to reduce the deficit to just two points by the end of the third quarter.
As the final quarter got underway, Unicaja brought their best game, starting with a 7-0 run in the first minutes, thanks to a triple from Taylor and quick plays by Carter and Díaz. The lead quickly expanded, with a barrage of triples from Barreiro, Perry, and Tyson Carter leaving Pablo Pin’s team without answers. The Unicaja attack proved unstoppable, reaching an 18-4 run in the final quarter. The Covirán Granada couldn’t prevent Unicaja from demolishing their defense with more triples, culminating in a final triple from Barreiro to seal the 95-78 victory. Unicaja fulfilled their role as favorites in this Andalusian derby but continues to show some weaknesses in this post-Copa del Rey version.
