MoraBanc Andorra Falls 79-87 to Hiopos Lleida in Crucial Relegation Battle

MoraBanc Andorra suffered a 79-87 home defeat to direct relegation rival Hiopos Lleida in a packed Pavelló Toni Martí, crumbling in the fourth quarter to stay on four Liga ACB wins—two clear of bottom club Burgos, which continues to close the gap.

Andorra opened sharply, surging to a 21-15 lead after 10 minutes on efforts from Aaron Best, Stan Okoye, Morris Udeze, a returning Justin McKoy—back after two games out—and Kyle Kuric's 2+1 finish. Lleida countered with Atoumane Diagne and György Golomán, but Andorra held a narrow 37-34 halftime edge despite poor 3/16 three-point shooting. Xavier Castañeda made his debut on loan from Unicaja Málaga—after Lleida rejected him on medical grounds—chipping in triples and assists.

The third quarter remained close, with Artem Pustovyi and James Batemon trading blows. A technical foul on coach Joan Plaza and Melvin Ejim helped Lleida pull to 47-53, but Castañeda's 10 points tied it at 61-61 before Lleida edged ahead 61-64.

Diagne fouled out early in the fourth, allowing Andorra a 70-68 lead via Shannon Evans' basket, Best's corner three, and Pustovyi free throws. Lleida responded with an 11-0 run from Caleb Agada, Ejim, and Golomán to pull away. Top scorers: Batemon (19) and Golomán (15) for Lleida; Castañeda and Okoye (14 each), Kuric (13), Pustovyi (10), Best (9), Agada (11), Oriol Paulí (9), Udeze (6), Evans (4), McKoy (4) for Andorra. Partials: 21-15, 37-34, 61-64.

The match drew 3,634 fans, including around 300 vocal Lleida supporters. Post-game, Plaza cited Lleida's superior intensity and pace: "They beat us on intensity and rhythm, and intensity isn't something you buy at the supermarket." He stressed working only with available players amid squad flux, dismissing rumors of discord. On Best and McKoy's returns—despite earlier suggestions from club figures they might depart—Plaza said: "Ask the person who said they wouldn't play anymore. I work with the players I have in the squad."

Injuries compounded issues: Rafa Luz sat out with a three-week hamstring problem, while Yves Pons nursed an ankle sprain from training, potentially returning soon. McKoy and Best remain as long as vacancies persist, with no confirmed exits or new arrivals like Darryl Macon.

Ahead lies a tough road test at Baskonia on Sunday.