Hiopos Lleida Stuns La Laguna Tenerife in Thrilling Finish, Snaps Seven-Game Losing Streak (103-101)

LLEIDA — Hiopos Lleida returned to winning ways in the Liga Endesa with a dramatic 103-101 victory over La Laguna Tenerife at Barris Nord, mounting a fourth-quarter comeback after trailing for most of the game. James Batemon and Melvin Ejim led the Catalan side's rally, snapping a seven-game losing streak and taking a crucial step in their fight for ACB survival.

Box Score

The game began with an exchange of baskets in the opening minutes of the Liga Endesa matchday, with both teams attempting to impose their rhythm without breaking the initial deadlock (13-12, 5:00). However, the experience of Marcelinho Huertas began to make a difference. The Brazilian point guard took control of La Laguna Tenerife's offense, scoring 10 points in the first quarter and allowing the visitors to open a small gap (17-22, 9:00).

With the introduction of substitutions, the visitors consolidated their dominance. La Laguna Tenerife extended their lead to nearly ten points by the end of the first quarter (19-28), capitalizing on their superior shooting and control of the game's tempo.

Hiopos Lleida responded in the second quarter with more balanced play. A layup by Caleb Agada cut the deficit to just two points (31-33, 14:00), but La Laguna Tenerife's response was immediate. A 0-7 run restored the visitors' lead to the ten-point mark (31-41, 17:00), showcasing the offensive solidity of Txus Vidorreta's squad. The Tenerife side reached halftime with a clear advantage after surpassing fifty points in the first half (42-51).

After the break, Hiopos Lleida found new scoring avenues through their interior game. Melvin Ejim and Atoumane Diagne began punishing opponents near the basket, bringing the home side closer on the scoreboard (51-57, 23:00). Still, the game remained a constant exchange of baskets throughout the third quarter.

Young Adrià Rodríguez also impressed during that stretch, making a confident debut on both ends of the floor. A three-point play by James Batemon closed the third quarter with everything still to play for (69-75).

The fourth quarter raised the tension at Barris Nord. A three-pointer by Melvin Ejim brought Hiopos Lleida even closer (72-75), though La Laguna Tenerife responded with a 2-10 run that appeared to be putting the game away for the visitors (74-85, 34:00).

However, the Catalan side refused to quit. James Batemon and Melvin Ejim took over the offensive load for Hiopos Lleida and led the comeback to tie the game with less than two minutes remaining (97-97).

Buoyed by the Barris Nord atmosphere, Hiopos Lleida completed the comeback in the final stretch and moved three points ahead with fifteen seconds left (102-99). La Laguna Tenerife had one last chance to force overtime, but Tim Abromaitis missed an apparently easy layup that would have tied the game, sealing the final 103-101.

The victory allows Hiopos Lleida to snap a seven-game losing streak in the Liga Endesa and gain breathing room in their fight for survival. For La Laguna Tenerife, despite the 23 points and 5 assists from Marcelinho Huertas, they leave empty-handed after dominating much of the contest.

103 - Hiopos Lleida (19+23+27+34): Ejim (29), Agada (9), Paulí (11), García (10), Diagne (10) - starting five - Batemon (21), Walden (2), Rodríguez (4), Sanz (-), Shurna (3), Krutwig (4).

101 - La Laguna Tenerife (28+23+24+26): Huertas (23), Scrubb (9), Sastre (3), Guerra (5), Doornekamp (6) - starting five - Fernández (8), Fitipaldo (10), Abromaitis (17), Giedraitis (5), Alderete (-), Mills (15).