Unicaja Ends Losing Streak With 114-105 Victory

In a thrilling display of basketball, Unicaja Malaga ended their three-game losing streak in the Liga ACB with a hard-fought victory against Leyma Coruña, winning 114-105 on April 6, 2025. The match, held at the Pabellón José María Martín Carpena, saw Unicaja secure their 18th victory of the season, keeping them firmly in the playoff hunt.

The game was marked by an impressive performance from Alberto Díaz, who not only led his team in assists with a personal record of 13 but also became the all-time assist leader for Unicaja, surpassing the previous record held by Berni Rodríguez with a total of 1,412 assists. "It’s a great honor to achieve this milestone with such a historic club," Díaz said after the game. "I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. We needed this win to get back on track, and I’m proud of how we fought until the end."

Unicaja started strong, leading 27-22 at the end of the first quarter and extending their lead to 23-12 early in the game. However, Leyma Coruña, currently at the bottom of the standings, quickly showed their resilience. They rallied back, taking a brief lead at 29-27 in the second quarter, thanks to an impressive run led by Trey Thompkins, who scored eight consecutive points. The halftime score reflected the competitive nature of the match, with Unicaja holding a narrow 51-49 advantage.

The second half continued in a similar fashion, with both teams exchanging baskets. Leyma Coruña's Thompkins, who finished the game with 22 points, kept his team in contention, while Unicaja relied heavily on the scoring of Melvin Ejim and the sharpshooting of Tyler Kalinoski, who contributed 12 points, including four three-pointers in the first half. The game remained close, with Unicaja leading 81-77 at the start of the final quarter.

As the fourth quarter unfolded, the tension in the arena grew palpable. Unicaja struggled to pull away from the determined Coruña squad, who were desperate to escape their relegation woes. However, with the clock winding down, Kameron Taylor stepped up for Unicaja, hitting a crucial three-pointer with just three minutes left, extending the lead to 104-98. Taylor's performance, which included 11 points, proved vital as the game neared its conclusion.

Despite the best efforts from Leyma Coruña, who showed great heart and determination throughout the match, Unicaja managed to maintain their lead. A final three-pointer from Taylor with just 25 seconds remaining sealed the victory at 111-105, ensuring that the home crowd of 8,014 spectators could celebrate the much-needed win. The high-scoring affair ended with a combined total of 219 points, marking it as the highest-scoring game without overtime in the ACB since December 2005.

After the game, Unicaja's coach, Ibon Navarro, expressed relief at the victory but acknowledged the defensive lapses that allowed Leyma Coruña to stay competitive. "We need to work on our defensive consistency. It’s great to get the win, but we can’t afford to give up so many points, especially as we approach the playoffs," he stated. Navarro also praised Díaz's record-setting performance, noting that his leadership was crucial in guiding the team through a tough match.

Looking ahead, Unicaja will face a significant challenge next week as they prepare to take on Valencia Basket in a direct battle for third place in the Liga ACB standings. This upcoming match is crucial, especially after Valencia's recent loss, which leaves the door open for Unicaja to potentially climb higher in the rankings.

In summary, Unicaja's victory over Leyma Coruña not only halted their losing streak but also showcased the importance of teamwork and resilience in basketball. With Alberto Díaz now holding the assist record and the team gaining momentum, fans are eager to see how Unicaja will perform in the upcoming matches as they aim for a strong finish to the season.