ACB: Kyle Kuric Silences Santiago Martín, Keeps MoraBanc Andorra Alive with Buzzer-Beater (89-90)

SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LA LAGUNA — MoraBanc Andorra pulled off a dramatic and crucial victory in the Liga Endesa, defeating La Laguna Tenerife 89-90 thanks to a game-winning three-pointer by Kyle Kuric at the buzzer. The veteran shooting guard delivered a decisive performance with 23 points, capping Andorra's remarkable comeback with an impossible shot that silenced the Santiago Martín and keeps the visiting team's playoff hopes alive.

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The game started with La Laguna Tenerife firing on all cylinders and dominating from beyond the arc. Patty Mills opened the contest with back-to-back three-pointers that allowed Txus Vidorreta's team to jump out to a commanding 8-0 start. The Canary Islands squad found open looks with ease and built comfortable leads in the opening minutes, reaching 14-5 after another stretch of offensive excellence.

However, MoraBanc Andorra responded quickly. Evans and Kostadinov elevated the visiting team's offensive pace and began chipping away at the deficit in a first quarter marked by constant three-point exchanges. Diego Bordón and Tim Abromaitis kept the home team sharp, but Andorra managed to close the period within striking distance at 22-21.

The second quarter opened with La Laguna Tenerife reasserting control. Rokas Giedraitis made several consecutive high-level plays and restored calm to the home squad, which rebuilt significant leads at 34-25. Evans tried to keep MoraBanc Andorra's offense afloat, though the Tenerife team accelerated again in the final stretch before halftime.

The combination of Marcelinho Huertas and Giorgi Shermadini allowed the hosts to head into the break with a solid 46-35 advantage and the sense of having the game under control. The Canary Islands team found offensive solutions consistently and appeared to be managing the contest with relative ease.

But the game changed completely after halftime. La Laguna Tenerife initially maintained control thanks to several plays from Huertas and Shermadini to reach 50-41, though MoraBanc Andorra then launched its major comeback. Okoye appeared with force, Kostadinov punished near the rim, and the visitors engineered a run that brought complete parity back to the game at 50-47.

Txus Vidorreta then turned to Bruno Fitipaldo to try to regain control, and the Uruguayan point guard responded with immediate energy, breathing new life into the home team at 56-47. But MoraBanc Andorra had definitively entered the game. Rafa Luz and especially Kyle Kuric began assuming offensive responsibility, and another dunk by Kostadinov put the visiting squad ahead at 59-60.

The fourth quarter became a constant back-and-forth battle. Patty Mills and Marcelinho Huertas punished from three-point range and appeared to bring victory closer for La Laguna Tenerife at 78-71, but Kyle Kuric emerged again at the most critical moment for MoraBanc Andorra.

The American shooting guard first executed a three-point play that restored hope for the visitors and then punished from three-point range to make it 84-85. Evans extended the lead slightly from the free-throw line, though Huertas answered as the great Canary Islands leader with a basket and a three-pointer that energized the Santiago Martín and appeared to seal the game at 89-86.

When everything pointed to a La Laguna Tenerife victory, Kyle Kuric appeared once more. The American sharpshooter took the final possession, created space off the dribble, and connected on a spectacular three-pointer at the buzzer to deliver one of the most decisive baskets of the Liga Endesa season and give MoraBanc Andorra a vital 89-90 victory.

With this win, MoraBanc Andorra reaches eight victories on the season and keeps its playoff hopes intact as it awaits results from its direct rivals. La Laguna Tenerife, meanwhile, let slip away a game it controlled for much of the contest and suffered a devastating home loss decided by Kyle Kuric's brilliance.