Llompart, Simmons, Matulionis, Jakstas and Van Zegeren started the match for HLA Alicante, who played the first possession of the match. A great assist from Llompart for Van Zegeren’s mate put the first basket of the match.
Matulionis, from the triple, put the 0-5 start in less than a minute. It seemed that HLA Alicante could break the game in the early stages of play, but the offensive blackout was huge. That triple by Matulionis in the first minute of the game were the last points for HLA Alicante in the first period. Ahead, ICG Força Lleida did not improve the shooting percentages much. With Carrera very unfortunate, the ilerdenses found their offensive focuses in Cuéllar and Badji to turn the game around. Without a great success in attack, ICG Força Lleida closed the first period with an advantage of +7 (12-5).
The second quarter changed the dynamics of both teams and finally HLA Alicante found the rival ring. A triple by Justin Pitts, who returned to play with the Lucent team in the league, at 30 seconds broke the offensive drought. With a 3-9 run, HLA Alicante came within 2 points (21-19) on the scoreboard led by a very successful Fran Pilepic in the triple. HLA Alicante managed to find better sensations in attack and Guillem Arcos with a great action coast to coast made it 26-24. Guillem Arcos again with a good long shot put it 31-29 at the break.
Going through the dressing room changed the face of HLA Alicante, which found its best moment in the match. Van Zegeren and Matulionis made the 0-5 start, tracing the start of the match. This time the HLA Alicante did not get stuck and a partial of 0-9 put Lucentino +7 on the scoreboard. With 36-43 on the scoreboard, ICG Força Lleida called a time-out to stop the start of HLA Alicante and, again, the Lucent team got stuck in the game.
At the end of the third act, the locals turned the score around to go to the last ten minutes ahead (53-49) on the scoreboard.
The game was rare with a lot of mistakes in both teams, but with the premises much more comfortable in that context. THE HLA Alicante was stuck in the game and could not find a way to get a good version to take the victory. With 6:36 left to close the game, the ilerdenses dominated 62-53 on the scoreboard. Everything seemed closed, but HLA Alicante competes until the end despite not having a good game. A 2-11 run with 5 straight points from Simmons and two triples from Matulionis and Pitts tied the game with 50 seconds to go.
When the scoreboard reflected 11 seconds to go, HLA Alicante had possession to win the game but committed a 5-second offense on service. Carrera scored on the free throw and Justin Pitts slipped on the field goal to tie the game.
In this way, HLA Alicante returns to a tight match and suffers a defeat in the final stages of the match. Next Sunday, at 12:15 pm, the LEB Oro returns to Pedro Ferrándiz in a match in which the Lucentians host Melilla Sport Capital.
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