ANDORRA LA VELLA — MoraBanc Andorra defeated Casademont Zaragoza 113-111 in the Liga Endesa (ACB) in a thrilling overtime contest marked by Joan Plaza's debut as Zaragoza's head coach and Sir'Jabari Rice's immediate impact with 19 points and 5 assists.
The team coached by Žan Tabak started the game with greater offensive fluidity and took the initiative in the opening minutes. MoraBanc Andorra looked more comfortable on the court during the first quarter, while Casademont Zaragoza adjusted to Joan Plaza's debut as head coach. Both teams showcased their latest signings: Sir'Jabari Rice for the home side and Wright-Foreman for the visiting squad.
The first significant lead came at 21-16 following a basket by Rubén Guerrero, before a three-pointer by Justin McKoy closed the first quarter at 24-19 in favor of the Andorrans.
The second quarter changed the pace of the game. Casademont Zaragoza elevated its offensive level and found its main reference in Santi Yusta. The Madrid-born wing took charge with two consecutive three-pointers, one of them at the shot-clock buzzer, and Devin Robinson capped the visiting comeback with a one-handed dunk that put the Aragonese ahead.
MoraBanc Andorra began to struggle defensively against the visiting pressure, especially against the offensive actions of Santi Yusta and Bojan Dubljevic. The balance remained until halftime, with both teams tied at 44 points, with 13 points each for Yves Pons for the home team and Santi Yusta for Zaragoza.
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After the break, MoraBanc Andorra regained control of the game. A 8-2 run sparked by five consecutive points from Stan Okoye allowed the Andorrans to open a new lead (52-46). Casademont Zaragoza took time to find rhythm in this stretch, though Santi Yusta returned with a three-pointer to tighten the score (53-52).
The home team maintained greater offensive solidity during the third quarter. Two consecutive three-pointers, one by Aaron Best and another by Yves Pons, extended the lead to 69-61 with less than three minutes remaining in the quarter. Shortly after, a dunk by Kostadinov established 71-61, the largest lead of the game to that point. Only Wright-Foreman sustained the visiting attack in that stretch, and the third quarter closed with a basket by Rafa Luz at the buzzer that made it 76-64.
The fourth quarter began with a Casademont Zaragoza comeback. A 2-10 run brought Joan Plaza's team back into the game and cut the deficit to 77-73. At that moment, Sir'Jabari Rice emerged, assuming offensive responsibility for MoraBanc Andorra and halting the visiting momentum with several individual plays.
With just over six minutes remaining, two free throws by Bojan Dubljevic tightened the score further (79-77), though Justin McKoy responded immediately with a three-pointer. Casademont Zaragoza took the lead with another three-pointer by Dubljevic (84-85) with 3:34 left.
The decisive stretch of the game was extremely tight. Wright-Foreman scored to make it 87-90 with 2:37 remaining, increasing the tension in the Toni Martí arena. When the game appeared to be tilting toward the visitors, Kyle Kuric took responsibility from the free-throw line and, with three made free throws with 7.3 seconds remaining, sent the game to overtime after DJ Stephens' subsequent missed attempt.
In overtime, MoraBanc Andorra found offensive solutions again. A three-pointer by Yves Pons with 2:29 left made it 106-100 and allowed the home team to regain control of the scoreboard. Still, Casademont Zaragoza responded and kept the game open until the end.
Aaron Best hit a three-pointer with 24 seconds left to make it 111-108, but Santi Yusta tied the score with 3.3 seconds remaining, keeping the suspense alive until the final possession.
On the decisive play, Kyle Kuric attempted an outside shot and was fouled by DJ Stephens. The MoraBanc Andorra wing made the first two free throws and intentionally missed the third to seal the home victory 113-111.
The victory allows MoraBanc Andorra to secure an important win in the Liga Endesa, while Casademont Zaragoza, despite the loss in Joan Plaza's debut, maintains a favorable record after the game played in Andorra la Vella.