FEB Playoffs: Leyma Básquet Coruña Rallies Past Menorca, One Win Away from Final Four (81-76)

A CORUÑA. Leyma Básquet Coruña suffered throughout but responded when it mattered most. Carles Marco's team defeated Hestia Menorca 81-76 at a packed Coliseum and moves one victory away from the Final Four for promotion to the Liga Endesa.

The orange squad had to battle for practically the entire game against a very solid Menorca side, aggressive on the offensive glass and capable of punishing every local defensive lapse. But the Coliseum's support and a fourth quarter of enormous character completely changed the game.

The opening made it clear that Hestia Menorca had traveled to A Coruña determined to neutralize the home-court advantage. The Balearic team found advantages early, attacking the glass and forcing Leyma Básquet Coruña to play uncomfortably from the opening minutes.

In the midst of that scenario, Micovic appeared. The perimeter player assumed much of the orange team's offensive production early on and kept the Coruña side afloat during moments of offensive stagnation.

The entry of Caio Pacheco and Jorgensen added more dynamism to the local attack, although the Menorca squad continued finding too many second-chance opportunities near the basket. Leyma didn't feel comfortable and the first quarter went to the visitors (20-23).

The game became even tougher in the second period. Leyma Básquet Coruña raised its defensive intensity and managed to run the floor better for several minutes, momentarily regaining control of the game.

However, each time the Coruña side seemed to be on the verge of breaking away, Hestia Menorca found offensive answers to strike back. Javi Zamora's team played with great personality and maintained the initiative before halftime thanks to their accuracy and ability to exploit local defensive breakdowns (38-42).

After the break, the game entered an even more complicated scenario for Leyma Básquet Coruña. Three-pointers from Sola and Zurbriggen hit hard against the orange team and nervousness began to grow in the Coliseum.

But when the team was at its worst, the arena atmosphere appeared. The crowd began pushing hard and Leyma found energy to rise again.

Joe Cremo ignited the Coliseum from beyond the arc and shortly after Jorgensen brought the Galicians fully back into the game. Still, Hestia Menorca kept resisting and entered the fourth quarter still ahead on the scoreboard (55-58).

The final quarter completely changed the script. Leyma Básquet Coruña raised several gears in defensive intensity and began finding much clearer offensive opportunities.

Dídac Cuevas appeared with personality in the most delicate moments, while Ily Diop began dominating the paint on both ends of the floor. Menorca started losing offensive clarity and the orange team took advantage of that moment to definitively turn the game around.

A three-pointer from Cuevas and several consecutive plays from Diop finished breaking the visitors' resistance in a Coliseum completely behind their team.

Hestia Menorca tried to stay alive until the end, but Leyma Básquet Coruña managed the final possessions better and closed out a victory of enormous importance.