Movistar Estudiantes joins Leyma Coruña as the second semifinal winner in Primera FEB. The championship game for promotion to Liga Endesa will take place tomorrow at 7:00 PM at the Coliseum in Coruña.
The team from Serrano 127 Street had a chaotic start, with Oviedo building a ten-point lead right from the opening moments, making it 3-13. Quick rotation changes by Toni Ten allowed the Madrid side to get back into the game, closing the first quarter with a much better appearance at 18-23.
The Madrid team continued with an upward trajectory. Not only did they improve defensively, but they maintained extremely high intensity, grabbing 10 offensive rebounds between the first two quarters. These rebounds showed the team's mentality of fighting for every possession. Three consecutive three-pointers from Jayson Granger put any ghosts from the past behind them and Alimerka Oviedo, creating the first comfortable lead for the Madrid side. 46-39 (28-16)
Both teams struggled throughout the second half of the game. It wasn't until the final minutes of the third quarter that Oviedo managed to cut into the ten-point lead created by Estudiantes in the previous period. The final minutes of the game were absolute frenzy, with all the points both teams failed to score in the opening minutes being made in the fourth quarter 66-57 (20-18).
The final quarter tightened the game with Oviedo closing to within just four points. However, Toni Ten's team managed to pull away, not comfortably but enough to stay calm thanks to a 10-0 run that gave relief to the passionate fans and ultimately sealed the victory. 79-71 (13-14)
Game Highlights:
Few but vocal, despite Estudiantes fans being in the minority at the Coliseum, they made their presence felt. They never stopped supporting Movistar Estudiantes. On the court, Jayson Granger was the best player for Estudiantes, scoring 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. The three consecutive three-pointers made by the Uruguayan captain in the second quarter were especially important. For Oviedo, the standouts were Gregory Parham II with 23 points and 2 assists, and Marques Townes with 15 points.
Box Score:
Movistar Estudiantes:
Asier González Pérez NJ, Lucas Nicolas (0), Mamadou Ndiaye Niang (5), Sasu Antreas Salin (2), Sergi Garcia Calvo (11), Jayson Granger (16), Tanner Bryce Mc Grew (5), Hugo Lopez Barrantes (6), Roberts Stumbris (8), Lotanna Afam Nwogbo (10), Patricio Garino Gullotta (6), Omar Silverio Grullon (10).
Head Coach: Antonio Ten Lopez De Lerma
Alimerka Oviedo Baloncesto:
Marques Rashaad Townes (15), Alonso Faure Ribes (4), Gregory Alden Parham II (23), Dan Duscak (7), Federico Copes NJ, Daniil Shelist (3), Calvin Alexander Roden (0), Francis Nwaokorie (6), Robert Cosialls Borras (5), Pablo Gonzalez NJ, Jorge Arias Gonzalez NJ, Raul Lobaco Muñoz (8).
Head Coach: Javier Rodriguez Perez