Valencia Basket Surpasses 100 Points, Secures Another Balanced Victory Over Leyma Coruña (111-97)

Valencia Basket returned to Roig Arena three days later to face Leyma Coruña in Matchday 8 of the Liga Endesa. The orange squad arrived in third place, tied with the second-place team, with a record of five wins and two losses. Facing them was a Galician team in fourteenth place with three wins and four losses, though they arrived in Valencia on the back of two consecutive victories and positive momentum.

The head-to-head record clearly favored the home team. Both squads had faced each other twice in official competition and once in a friendly, with three victories for Valencia Basket. Xavi Albert's side looked to capitalize on home-court advantage to continue climbing the standings in the domestic competition before tackling a demanding European week.

- Valencia Basket Starting Five: TJ Shorts, Saint-Supery, Kameron Taylor, Osetkowski, and Sako.

- Leyma Coruña Starting Five: Jorgensen, Jou Coll, Verge, Conditt, and Silins.

Xavi Albert's unavailable players today: Gonzalo Corbalán, Nate Reuvers, and Nikola Jokić due to injury.

Leyma Coruña struck first with a basket from Conditt, while Osetkowski responded from three-point range to get Valencia Basket on the board. The Puerto Rican center for the Galician squad started particularly inspired and scored seven of his team's first nine points. The game began with a high scoring pace, and Armony Brooks, with a 2+1, allowed Valencia Basket to take the lead. The home team improved down the stretch and closed the first quarter with a slight advantage after Leyma Coruña missed an open three-pointer that would have tied the score (27-24).

The second quarter had an undisputed protagonist: Armony Brooks. The American opened the period with a three-pointer from the top of the key and repeated from beyond the arc on the next possession. His accuracy forced the visiting coach to call a timeout after he made his third consecutive three-pointer for a 38-26 lead. Brooks continued scoring and, after another three-pointer and three made free throws, reached 21 points before being substituted to a standing ovation from the Roig Arena crowd. TJ Shorts also contributed from three-point range, and Valencia Basket continued extending its lead. As a curiosity, all home players had scored before halftime, including academy product Lucas Marí. The lead reached fifteen points by the end of the first half, with Brooks as the leading scorer (63-48).

The second half began with a free throw made by Sako. Valencia Basket maintained control of the game and managed its advantage against a Leyma Coruña side that couldn't find a way to close the gap significantly. The orange squad controlled the tempo and continued scoring with relative ease. TJ Shorts, with a strong individual play in the final moments of the quarter, left the difference at 18 points heading into the final period (90-72).

The fourth quarter started with a three-pointer from Díaz for Leyma Coruña, but Valencia Basket maintained control and continued finding the basket with ease. The home team surpassed the 100-point mark with six minutes remaining, thanks to a three-pointer from Puerto that made it 102-88. The Galician squad tried to stay in the game, though the margin remained substantial. With 2:42 remaining and the score at 107-92, the visiting coach called a timeout. The orange victory was already secured, and the game ended with another win for Xavi Albert's side, who reached 111 points.

It was a balanced performance from Valencia Basket, with contributions from the entire roster. Mo Gueye finished with 11 points, and Lucas Marí, who also found his space in the game, added four before being eliminated with five personal fouls. Armony Brooks was the leading scorer with 25 points, while TJ Shorts recorded 15 points and six assists. A convincing victory to maintain their position in the upper tier of the Liga Endesa (111-97).

Now, Valencia Basket faces a demanding double European commitment away and at home. On Tuesday, they will visit Partizan in Belgrade at 20:45 in Matchday 12 of the EuroLeague. On Thursday, they return to Roig Arena to host Virtus Bologna at 21:00.

Their next home league game will be Sunday the 22nd at 17:00 against Breogán. The orange squad will look to extend their positive run and continue fighting for the top spots in the standings.