MoraBanc Andorra Routed 91-65 by UCAM Murcia in Preseason Finale
UCAM Murcia dominated MoraBanc Andorra after halftime in a friendly at San Javier's Memorial García Zaragoza-Martínez Pardo. Missing key players like Kuric and McGriff, Andorra faltered despite a strong start.
Key Points
- UCAM Murcia surged ahead with 28-15 second quarter, leading 47-36 at halftime and winning by 26 points.
- Andorra rotated 10 players including junior Luka Bottiroli; Aaron Best topped scorers with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists.
- Finishes 0-4 preseason after losses to Barça and Manresa; absences: Kuric, Akinjo, McGriff.
- ACB opener vs Monbus Obradoiro at home on September 26.
MoraBanc Andorra ended their preseason with a decisive 91-65 loss to UCAM Murcia in the final friendly at the 35th Memorial García Zaragoza-Martínez Pardo in San Javier.
Coach Žan Tabak's side, rotating 10 players including junior Luka Bottiroli, started competitively by edging the first quarter 21-19 after an even opening exchange of baskets. UCAM Murcia, with 15 players seeing action under Sito Alonso, then took control in the second period via a 28-15 surge to lead 47-36 at the break. The gap widened after halftime as Murcia outscored Andorra 17-9 in the third for a 64-45 advantage, capitalizing on the visitors' drought before closing out the 26-point victory.
The match capped a 0-4 preseason for Andorra, following defeats to Barça (96-101 and 84-88) and Manresa (74-83). Key absences included Kyle Kuric, at the ACB League launch in Madrid; James Akinjo, training fully but rested as a precaution; and Cameron McGriff, who stayed back for rest.
Aaron Best led Andorra with 14 points, three rebounds, four assists and 21 valuation credits. Leon Radosevic scored 11, while Nikola Mutic, Artem Pustovyi and Wes Iwundu managed eight each. Murcia's top performers were Forrest with 16 points, Boum on 15 and Juani Marcos with 11.
UCAM Murcia (91): Boum 15, Forrest 16, Raieste 8, Juani Marcos 11, Dani González, Sant-Roos 5, Will Falk 4, Joao Neves, Emanuel Cate 4, Rubén López de la Torre 2, Pansa 3, Diagne 5, Steinbergs, Ennis 10, Nakic 8. Coach: Sito Alonso.
MoraBanc Andorra (65): Mutic 8, Best 14, Luz 4, Jose Francisco 5, Aquino 2, Akinjo, Pustovyi 8, Iwundu 8, Robertson 5, Bottiroli, Radosevic 11. Coach: Žan Tabak.
Quarters: 19-21, 28-15, 17-9, 27-20.
Referees: Martín Caballero, Cristóbal Sánchez Cutillas, Vicente Martínez.
Andorra now shift focus to their ACB season opener on September 26 against Monbus Obradoiro at home.
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