MoraBanc Andorra Falls 85-90 to Real Madrid in Thriller

MoraBanc Andorra fell 85-90 to league leaders Real Madrid in a thrilling ACB clash at Pavelló Toni Martí, extending their losing streak to five matches despite a spirited performance that kept the outcome in doubt until the final seconds.

The home side started strongly, surging to a 17-7 lead early on behind sharp shooting from Xavier Castañeda and Shannon Evans. Castañeda, the recent signing on loan from Unicaja, dominated the first half with 16 points, including four of five from three-point range, helping Andorra close the opening quarter at 21-13. Real Madrid, fatigued from a midweek Euroleague game against Maccabi Tel Aviv, struggled with poor shooting—four of 17 from the field and zero of seven from deep—but clawed back to trail by just one at halftime, 41-40.

The second half remained tight, with Andorra briefly regaining the lead on a triple from Aaron Best at 52-50. Madrid responded through Mario Hezonja, Chuma Okeke, and Sergio Llull, edging ahead 58-61 after three quarters. In the fourth, Andorra fought back with key baskets from Kostadinov and a late three from Kyle Kuric that cut the gap to 81-82 with just over a minute left. Castañeda forced Edy Tavares' fifth foul to pull within four at 78-82, but Madrid sealed it from the free-throw line, where they converted 13 of 13 in the period amid contentious calls that drew chants of frustration from the 3,922-strong crowd.

**MoraBanc Andorra (85):** Evans 8, Best 4, Okoye 8, Kostadinov 10, Pustovyi 12; Ortega 5, Kuric 9, Castañeda 21, McKoy 7, Udeze 1, Guerrero 0. **Real Madrid (90):** Feliz 4, Llull 9, Hezonja 14, Okeke 9, Tavares 13; Len 10, Lyles 8, Maledon 11, Abalde 10, Procida 2. **Partials:** 21-13, 41-40, 58-61, 85-90. **Referees:** Conde, Oyón, Alcaraz. **Fouled out:** Kostadinov, Tavares.

Ahead of the game, coach Joan Plaza dismissed excuses despite injuries to Yves Pons and Rafa Luz, stressing fidelity to their style and defensive rebounding issues. Fans wore blue club T-shirts as requested, creating an electric atmosphere. Post-match, Plaza praised the effort: "We take positive conclusions. The team works, but we need to win—that's the reality. It's about experience and staying concentrated." Andorra hold a one-win buffer above the relegation zone and host Río Breogán next Saturday at 19:00.