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may 30 2026MURCIA. UCAM Murcia concluded the Liga Endesa regular season with an offensive masterclass against Hiopos Lleida, defeating them decisively 116-95 at the Palacio de los Deportes. The team coached by Sito Alonso reached 25 wins and maintains options to finish in second place, pending the rescheduled game between Barcelona and Valencia Basket.
With home-court advantage already secured for the Playoffs, the university team once again demonstrated the enormous competitive level it has maintained throughout the season, delivering a complete performance in which David DeJulius, Michael Forrest, Jaylen Hands, Kelan Martin, and Devontae Cacok shone particularly bright.
The game began with Hiopos Lleida playing inspired basketball from beyond the arc. Three-pointers from Millán Jiménez and James Batemon allowed the Catalan side to take early leads and reach a promising 7-13.
However, UCAM Murcia's response was not long in coming. Sito Alonso's team accelerated the pace and answered with a 10-0 run that allowed them to quickly regain control of the scoreboard (17-13).
Far from giving up, Gerard Encuentra's team responded with character and strung together another favorable run that allowed them to close the first quarter ahead (23-29) thanks to their strong offensive production.
The second quarter marked the beginning of Murcia's dominance.
The depth of UCAM Murcia's bench began to make a difference. Michael Forrest, Devontae Cacok, Jaylen Hands, and Kelan Martin provided energy and points to definitively change the course of the game.
The game maintained an extremely high pace and great offensive fluidity, but the home team began to find better defensive situations. That improvement on defense had an immediate effect on the scoreboard.
With David DeJulius taking on offensive responsibility and drawing roars from the Palacio crowd, UCAM Murcia opened an important gap that allowed them to reach halftime with a solid advantage (58-46). The American point guard had already accumulated 17 points by the end of the first half.
After the break, the university team completely controlled the game.
Hiopos Lleida tried to stay in the fight, but never managed to reduce the deficit below ten points. The local defensive intensity and offensive accuracy continued to clearly tilt the game toward Murcia's side.
A three-pointer from Kelan Martin extended the lead to 17 points and shortly after a play by Michael Forrest pushed the advantage to twenty (77-57), putting the game well in hand.
The third quarter ended with a clear 86-69 that reflected the superiority shown by UCAM Murcia during much of the game.
The final ten minutes served for Sito Alonso's team to complete a true offensive exhibition. Jaylen Hands took over on offense and led several spectacular plays that pushed the margin above twenty points.
The accuracy from three-point range capped off a brilliant night for the university team, who closed the game with 116 points scored and one of their most complete offensive performances of the season.
With this victory, UCAM Murcia finishes the regular season with an excellent record of 25 wins and keeps intact its options to finish in second place in the Liga Endesa. Hiopos Lleida, with their survival already assured from previous matchdays, puts an end to a notable season in which they successfully achieved their main objective.
