In a dramatic clash, HLA Alicate overcame an 18-31 deficit after a difficult first quarter, delivering a bold lesson in grit. The Lucentino squad leaned on the leadership of Icelandic playmaker Steinarsson, with Parrado and Gatell playing crucial roles in sealing a fifth win of the season against one of the promotion contenders. A tense moment at Pedro Ferrándiz, with Gatell delivering a key touch just six seconds from the end, ended Estudiantes’ assault and sparked final joy for the victorious team amid an emphatic home crowd surge.
The initial exchanges set the tone for the encounter as Kevin Larsen carved through the paint, while Borovnjak’s presence in the early minutes tested Lucentum. Estudiantes gradually gained control, taking a 9-17 edge as Lucentum struggled to find rhythm and Blaylock’s shooting faltered. Larsen’s early burst—10 points and 4 rebounds in the opening minutes—underscored Madrid’s vigor, while Monclova called a timeout that did little to slow the visitors. A subsequent 0-7 run widened the gap to 9-24, placing Lucentum on the back foot. The first frame proved costly, with Estudiantes showing clinical efficiency and Larsen delivering 18 points in a display that suggested a difficult uphill battle for the hosts.
Black Friday
Lucentum rallied with a 28-12 burst to start the second quarter. Steinarsson ignited the comeback, sinking a triple, then pulling off a theft and a long-distance basket that forced Estudiantes to call a timeout at 23-31. HLA found its footing again, but Madrid did not relent, preserving a double-digit cushion for a while longer. Steinarsson remained the heartbeat of Lucentum, while Parrado’s precision from the arc and Gatell’s steady play added pressure. Lucentum’s improved aggression reshaped the balance as Parrado and Steinarsson combined to move the score to 41-41. Larsen’s scoring drought ended as Lucentum seized its first lead, and Traoré, at just 16 years old, added a striking late-second-quarter surge that unsettled the visitors. A close, intense finish to the half produced a 46-43 scoreline with the crowd erupting in appreciation.
After Estudiantes lost serve, HLA continued to press, adding back-to-back triples from Parrado. The Lucentum energy was visible, yet Estudiantes remained dangerous. Blaylock persisted in struggling to find the hoop, while Lucentum’s defense and rebounding pressured Javi Rodríguez’s team. A 64-58 timeout signaled Estudiantes’ response, and the visitors fought back to tie the game late in regulation, creating a tense finish that would decide the match in the final minute.
Two quick exchanges from Atencia and Rakocevic before the referees issued two technical fouls put HLA at a critical juncture. Capitalizing on Lucentum’s nerves and free-throw woes, Estudiantes built a seven-point lead with six minutes to play. Steinarsson energized Gatell and Parrado again, restoring balance and forcing a renewed showdown. The final minute bore down with the score 83-83. Steinarsson and Larsen traded baskets; with 42 seconds left, the outcome remained unresolved. In the dying seconds, Gatell’s strip and a late possession for Lucentum produced a game-winner that the home crowd recognized as a memorable triumph.
Following Estudiantes’ lapse on attack, Lucentum continued to press, extending the run with Parrado’s sharp shooting. The visitor’s defense steadied as the game wore on, yet Estudiantes could not keep pace with Lucentum’s renewed energy. A sequence of free throws and strategic moves by HLA kept the pressure high, and by the end of the contest the hosts emerged with a dramatic win that energized the stands and set a bold tone for the season’s later stages.
Lucentum’s decisive victory rested on its improved execution in the second period and the relentless effort shown by Steinarsson, Parrado, and Gatell. The late defensive stops and timely scoring bursts reflected a team capable of turning a tough start into a celebrated result, a showcase of resilience that resonated with fans and reinforced the squad’s status as a genuine challenger in the league.
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