Lleida surprises at the Roig Arena and defeats Valencia

The iLERNA Lleida arrives at the Roig Arena with a renewed structure but continuity on the bench. Gerard Encuentra retains his position and has strengthened the project with several signings that were seen as the major unknowns of the season. Opposing them, Valencia Basket sought to capitalize on the momentum from their last-second victory on Friday in Istanbul in the Euroleague, but they faced a rival that was fully engaged from the first minute and was not intimidated by the pressure of playing in the taronja's home.

From the start, the Lleida team showed they were prepared to compete. After a first quarter where the taronjas led 20-16, Lleida responded energetically to close the first segment at 26-20, a clear indication that they were not there to concede. The defensive attitude and offensive circulation of the Catalan team revealed a Valencia that could not find its usual rhythm in attack.

The first half: Valencia tries to respond with threes

In the second quarter, the taronja team tried to impose their game through three-point shots, establishing an eight-point lead at one point during the period. However, Lleida did not get discouraged. The new iLERNA maintained its composure and executed a more balanced basketball, allowing Valencia to go into halftime with only a minimal lead of 53-50. The Catalans had shown they could compete head-to-head against a higher-profile rival.

After halftime, the taronjas came out intending to expand their lead. They went up by nine points, which seemed to consolidate their control of the game, but once again Lleida had the answer. McGhee and Mikel Sanz punished both inside and outside the paint, while James Batemon's emergence on offense allowed the ilerdenses not only to recover the deficit but also to take the lead. From 63-54, they went to 63-65, a partial score that changed the momentum of the game and marked the turning point.

The Catalan dominance in the final quarters

With less pressure and growing confidence, the iLERNA Lleida halted Valencia's attempt to respond. The taronjas, despite Álvaro Cárdenas' emergence, struggled with effectiveness from the free-throw line, a problem that would worsen in the final stretch. A three-pointer from John Shurna and free throws from Batemon allowed the ilerdenses to build a lead that reached eight points, maintaining their dominance until the end of the third quarter with a score of 76-72 that reflected the superiority shown.

In the final quarter, Lleida continued with the same confidence. Even though Gerard Encuentra received a technical foul, the ilerdense team did not show any signs of nervousness. When Jasiel Rivero missed a chance under the basket at a crucial moment, Mark Hughes responded with a three-pointer that exemplified the team's defensive and offensive solidity. Even Perrin executed an impressive dunk over Taylor that perfectly summarized the form of the Catalans.

Valencia closes the gap, but Lleida holds firm

Valencia Basket did not give up. In the final minutes, TJ Shorts appeared with six consecutive points that allowed the taronja team to keep the score tied at 89-89 with a little over three minutes left. However, just when it seemed the game could be decided in the closing stretch, Batemon was decisive once again. The ilerdense guard hit a long three-pointer followed by four more points, creating a cushion of four points with just over a minute remaining.

Valencia attempted to close the gap by seeking mistakes from the Lleida free-throw line, but the Catalans maintained the necessary coolness. Valencia's 18 of 27 from the free-throw line contrasted sharply with iLERNA's 16 of 17, with Batemon posting a spectacular 8 of 8 in the final period. This discrepancy in effectiveness from the charity stripe was decisive in a game that was settled in the details.

Batemon and McGhee, the heroes of Lleida

The final numbers reflected the superiority of the iLERNA Lleida in key moments. James Batemon finished with 23 points, being nearly perfect from the free-throw line, while McGhee added 21 points, both forming an extraordinary duo that dismantled the taronja defense in the decisive stages. For Valencia, TJ Shorts led the attack with 13 points, while Mirotic contributed 14 points, insufficient to counter Lleida's offensive display.

Valencia Basket closed the first quarter 20-26, the second 53-50, the third 72-76, and the fourth 100-105, with Lleida winning three of the four segments. This point distribution shows how the taronjas never managed to impose their theoretical superiority, while the ilerdenses executed more consistent and effective basketball in the moments that mattered.

With this victory, the iLERNA Lleida presents itself as a contender to be reckoned with in the competition, demonstrating that changes in the roster have not affected the structure of Gerard Encuentra's project. Valencia, for its part, will need to reflect on its performance at home after returning from Istanbul, especially regarding free-throw execution, a fundamental aspect that cannot be neglected in such closely contested games.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Lleida sorprende en el Roig Arena y vence al Valencia