Girona makes its debut in Liga Endesa with a victory over UCAM Murcia

The Girona began its journey in the Liga Endesa with a victory that, more than due to its quality, was defined by its ability to react in decisive moments. The hosts overcame UCAM Murcia 84-77 in a match where mistakes were the common denominator for a good part of the game, especially on defense and perimeter shooting. However, when solutions were most needed, the team from Girona responded with a devastating run that sealed the victory.

A beginning of shared errors

UCAM Murcia took to the court with its four signings in the starting lineup: Juani Marcos, a former Girona player, Souley Boum, Marcis Steinbergs, and Jean-Marc Pansa. The Murcians threatened to break away in the early moments, reaching a 9-14 lead that suggested a complicated game for the locals. However, the visiting team suddenly lost its accuracy, allowing Girona to react with a 13-2 run that finished the first quarter at 22-16, with a three-pointer from Mac McClung as a turning point.

The Girona lead expanded to eight points after another display of power from Jassel Pérez, who was carrying the offensive load of the team. The score reached 26-18, but UCAM took advantage of the next local missed shots with a 0-7 run from Michael Forrest to tie it effortlessly at 28-28. The numbers from that first half were revealing: Girona had a shooting percentage of 2 of 11 on three-pointers and 4 of 17 on field goals just in the second quarter. The halftime arrived with the locals leading 36-33, a minimal advantage reflecting the equality in the inaccuracies of both teams.

The third quarter with no solutions

After the break, UCAM stepped up with a 3-12 run led by Boum and Nakic, achieving its maximum lead at 39-45 that forced Moncho Fernández to call a timeout. Girona was going through a critical moment, unable to find a rhythm on offense. For more than eighteen minutes, they did not score a three-pointer, and they also recorded a concerning 2 of 6 from the free-throw line during that period. Despite this offensive disaster, the mutual inaccuracy kept the score surprisingly close. A three-pointer from Stanley Whittaker at the buzzer of the third quarter left it at 52-52, bringing the equality back to the match just when it seemed Murcia might pull away.

The decisive run

The visitors tried again, reaching 58-63 in the final quarter, but at that point, Girona responded just when things looked bleak with an 11-0 run that completely turned the game around with four minutes left. Michael Forrest tied it with his third three-pointer, but Jassel Pérez then hit another from long range at the shot clock buzzer, a blow that proved psychologically devastating. Martinas Geben made it 76-70 with ninety seconds remaining, and the match was headed in one direction. The final quarter ended with a 32-25 score that perfectly explains the final outcome.

Pérez leads the comeback with experience

Jassel Pérez was the player of the match with 20 points, nine rebounds, and a valuation of 30, leading the team's reaction when it was most needed. His ability to make decisions at critical moments was crucial. Stanley Whittaker contributed 19 points, while Mac McClung and Martinas Geben each added 11. For UCAM, Souley Boum was the top scorer with 18 points, followed by Michael Forrest with 15 and Cate with 10. However, the overall numbers for Sito Alonso's side were very low: 25 of 74 in field goals, barely 34 percent accuracy, which explains why they couldn’t maintain the advantage in the final stretch.

Thus, Girona begins its season in the Liga Endesa with a victory that, although not brilliantly executed, demonstrates an essential quality: the ability to compete even when things do not go as planned. The local team struggled for a good part of the match but managed to find its best version when it mattered most, especially on defense and in limiting the offensive damage from the opponent. This opening victory lays a solid foundation for continuing to build in the upcoming games, although the shooting numbers will need to improve significantly to aim for greater goals in the competition.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Girona se estrena en Liga Endesa con victoria ante UCAM Murcia