Real Madrid, already secure in second place, met UCAM Murcia with a clear aim: to win and, more importantly, to maintain a high level of competition ahead of the Euroleague Final Four. Across eight days in Belgrade, Madrid focused on tightening their defense, while UCAM sought to assert themselves and push into the playoffs.
The game opened with an early spark from James Webb, who buried two three-pointers in his first two possessions. His hot start, paired with a balanced line from the Murcian squad that included 5 assists and only 2 turnovers, kept UCAM in front as the first period closed at 19-21. Madrid found itself chasing momentum rather than dictating it, a surprise given their second-place standing and usual depth.
Social chatter followed the action: fans and commentators alike wondered who could slow this rising force. Endesa League posts from that day captured the mood with calls to stay focused and ready for the BreakIt phase (ACBCOM, May 11, 2022). The irony of the period was Madrid’s absence of long-range shooting; they did not attempt a three and couched their offense around ball movement and interior defense, which translated into a low-assist, high-stakes start that nonetheless kept the result within reach for Madrid’s ambitions.
In the second period UCAM extended their rhythm, finishing a run that signaled a shift. Madrid, true to form, tried to shore up the defense and create offense through transition pressure, but the biggest threat remained Thad McFadden, whom Jeff Taylor faced with veteran caution. Adam Hanga converted Madrid’s first three at 32-29, and by halftime the score read 41-37 as Murcia entered the break with momentum. McFadden’s presence loomed large as he moved toward the locker room after a decisive sequence that underscored UCAM’s capacity to challenge Madrid on the floor.
Emanuel Cate did not concede easily, feeding renewed energy to an otherwise cautious UCAM side. The contest grew tense as the Murcian attack found a few opening lanes, and Gabriel Deck offered a spark for Madrid, especially when the ball found a rhythm in transition. UCAM’s combination of McFadden and Nemanja Radovic kept them in sight of parity, even as Madrid maintained a defensive posture aimed at limiting high-quality looks. The first seven minutes of the third quarter brought a measured battle, with Madrid edging ahead on defense while UCAM pressed for a more aggressive push to regain control of the game.
As the middle periods settled, both teams found themselves locked in a struggle that involved tough defense, late shot clocks, and a few key blocks, including a notable sequence from Walter Tavares that boosted Madrid’s defensive intensity. The absence of a consistent, high-volume scoring burst for Madrid did little to derail their overall control of the game, as UCAM’s attempts to accelerate did not translate into a long-lasting run. By the 25th minute, Madrid led 53-42, and UCAM began to show signs of strain under sustained pressure. The gradual, inexorable buildup of Madrid’s advantage suggested a game that would likely end in their favor, even if UCAM had pockets of resistance that kept the scoreboard respectable.
The third quarter culminated with Alberto Abalde guiding Madrid through a sluggish but steady stretch, as the period ended 68-49 after a 27-12 run that reflected Madrid’s disciplined approach and UCAM’s shrinking answers. The post-clip analysis highlighted Madrid’s ability to ride the moment, while UCAM faced a critical reality: the window for redemption was narrowing. Commentary on the night praised Madrid’s defensive discipline and acknowledged UCAM’s effort to scare the host into mistakes, but the evidence leaned toward Madrid maintaining control until the final minutes.
With victory in sight, the match turned into a formality, a demonstration of Real Madrid’s depth and experience. Madrid closed out the affair with a confident, if not spectacular, showing that reinforced their position and left UCAM with limited options in the closing stages. The final score stood at 90-69 as Madrid sealed the win and carried forward the momentum into the remainder of the season. The performance reflected a team that can lean on its structure during crunch time, even when the pace is not at its peak.
Data sheet:
90 – Real Madrid (19 + 22 + 27 + 22): Williams-Goss (7), Hanga (5), Causeur (13), Poirier (8) and Yabusele (5) -first team-, Abalde (10), Núñez, Randolph (7), Deck (7), Tavares (14), Llull (9) and Taylor (5).
69 – UCAM Murcia (21+16+12+20): Davis (5), Webb (12), Lima (3), Taylor (10) and Rojas -first team-, Bellas (4), Malmaris, Radovic (10), McFadden (7), Cate (8), Czerapovick (8) and Vasileiadis (2).
Referees: Carlos Cortes, Vicente Bulto and Andrés Fernández. The match, part of the 33rd day of the normal Endesa Basketball League, was played in front of 4,430 spectators at the Palacio de Deportes (WiZink Center) in Madrid. [ACBCOM, 2022]