Madrid dominates the boards and sinks UCAM in the final stretch

The Real Madrid concluded their matchup against UCAM Murcia with an exhibition of physical dominance that was overwhelming for the visitors. Despite having six players unavailable—Campazzo, Maledon, Garuba, Jantunen, Deck, and Okeke, the latter added at the last minute due to discomfort—the team led by Pedro Martínez showcased solid basketball that forced the opponent's collapse in the final stretch. The 19-point difference on the scoreboard (90-71) does not reflect the progression of the game, where rebounding was the key that opened all the doors.

The rebound, a lethal weapon in the first 20 minutes

The first ten minutes unfolded with a certain balance. Madrid barely gained an advantage in the first quarter, with a score of 21-16 that hardly intimidated Sito Alonso's side. The quarter closed 22-20, showing a game where both teams remained connected. However, it was the second unit where the Real Madrid began to make their mark. A 9-0 run in the second period hurt the Murcia team, which lost offensive and defensive coordination simultaneously.

The break came with a score of 47-39 for the whites, but the real story was written in the rebounding statistics: 21-10 for the Madrid team. This dominance on the boards, combined with Madrid's nine turnovers (double that of UCAM), presented a more balanced picture than the scoreboard indicated. Sito Alonso's team did not play with the characteristic energy that defines them, a detail that Pedro Martínez knew how to exploit through physical work.

The gradual collapse of Murcia

The resumption brought numerous errors for both teams, but it was UCAM that felt the wear and tear the most. With the score at 55-41 in the 24th minute, the visitors seemed out of the game. A timeout tried to reactivate them, achieving a fleeting response that brought the score to 58-52. When it seemed that the third quarter could close with some suspense, Madrid went into the last period with a 63-55 lead, maintaining a manageable but not definitive cushion.

It was then that the verdict arrived. Without being anywhere near brilliant, Pedro Martínez's team executed a 15-0 run in just six minutes, during which UCAM did not score a single point. With a +23 advantage on the floor, the game was completely decided. After reaching 82-57 in the 37th minute, relaxation was inevitable, although the Murcians managed to slightly mask the defeat in the closing moments. Pablo Mera, who had barely been present in the game, hit a three-pointer that was celebrated by the Madrid fans.

The absences did not stop the whites

Pedro Martínez had to improvise with only ten players available. Nick Smith again suffered discomfort in the fascia of his foot, while Pablo Mera, a youth player from the club, barely stepped on the court until the final moments. Sarr, amidst such a lack of interior players, went practically unnoticed with eight minutes without scoring or grabbing rebounds. It was a dull case for him.

Who did take advantage of their opportunities was Jones, who scored eleven points in just nine minutes with a perfect 3 of 3 from the 6.75-meter line. Pradilla was the standout for the white team with 15 points and 7 rebounds, although scoring was widely distributed among all players. This sharing of offensive responsibilities was precisely what allowed Madrid to maintain the pace despite the absences.

The final dominance in numbers

The final rebounding statistic was 48-31 for the Real Madrid, a margin that tells the complete story of the game. The whites won the battle on the boards from the start and maintained it until the end, something that proved decisive in a match where defense and gritty work were as important as scoring.

UCAM Murcia, despite attempts to react, could never find the necessary continuity to truly compete. Sito Alonso's team paid dearly for the lack of defensive and offensive energy that characterizes their team, allowing Madrid to execute their plan without major disturbances. The victory came with authority, certifying that even with significant absences, the white team maintains its capacity for dominance.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Madrid domina los tableros y hunde al UCAM en el tramo final