Palencia secured a decisive victory over Melilla Ciudad del Deporte on Friday, March 27, 2026, in a Primera FEB contest. The final score was 82-62, marking a significant win for Súper Agropal Palencia as they continue their pursuit in the league. The game, played at a packed venue with fans eager to see a potential jump to the ACB, saw Palencia take control after a closely contested first quarter.
The match began at 9:00 PM local time, with both teams trading baskets early on. Melilla demonstrated resilience, responding to every move made by the home side. After the initial four minutes, the score was tied at 10-9. A 5-0 run by Rafa Sanz’s team gave them the lead (10-14), and they managed to maintain a slight advantage (18-19) with 50 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Though, Nacho Lezcano’s Palencia squad closed the period ahead, 20-19, despite Melilla’s strong performance.
The second quarter witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum. Palencia increased their defensive intensity and capitalized on speedy breaks, opening with a 16-3 run to establish a 36-22 lead within the first three and a half minutes. Melilla refused to concede, narrowing the gap to 38-27, prompting a timeout from Palencia. The home side responded immediately with another 4-0 run, forcing another timeout from Melilla’s Sanz with four minutes left in the half. Defenses tightened in the closing minutes, and Palencia entered halftime with a commanding 48-31 lead, fueled by a 28-12 quarter.
Following the break, Melilla started strongly, scoring the first five points to reduce the deficit to 48-36. However, Palencia quickly countered, stifling Melilla’s attack and extending their lead to 19 points, which prompted another timeout for the visiting team. The third quarter settled into a more defensive battle, with Palencia eventually closing it out with a substantial 64-42 advantage.
Palencia continued to build on their lead in the final period, pushing the score to 70-50. Melilla attempted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 70-57, which led to a Palencia timeout. Although the visitors continued to compete and reduced the deficit to 72-57, Palencia regained control in the final stretch, extending their lead to +20 (80-60) with 2:45 remaining. The game concluded with a final score of 82-62, with the last quarter ending 18-20.
Key players for Súper Agropal Palencia included Mustapha Heron (11 points), Alec Wintering (11 points), Mathieu Kamba (14 points), and Josip Vrankic (12 points). For Melilla Ciudad del Deporte, Iván Cruz led the scoring with 14 points, accompanied by Nathan Hoover with 11 points, and Jeffrey Godspower with 5 points.
Iván Cruz of Melilla was named the game’s MVP, delivering a strong performance with 14 points, 9 rebounds (6 defensive and 3 offensive), 3 assists, and 2 steals, accumulating 25 valuation points.
The teams’ statistical performance can be found at the league’s official website. A post-game press conference is available to view on YouTube.
This loss for Melilla Ciudad del Deporte comes as they navigate the competitive landscape of the Primera FEB league. The team will undoubtedly analyze this game to identify areas for improvement as they prepare for their next challenge. Palencia, will look to build on this strong performance and continue their push for a favorable position in the league standings. The win solidifies Palencia’s position as a formidable opponent in the Primera FEB.
Melilla’s next confirmed match is yet to be announced, but updates will be available through the club’s official channels. Fans can stay informed about the team’s progress and future schedule by visiting their website and following their social media accounts.
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