Alimerka Oviedo Baloncesto secured its third victory by defeating Caja Rural CB Zamora 81-77 at the Palacio de los Deportes, relying on late-game execution after nearly squandering a 12-point lead. Reporting on the tense finish, outlets noted that while the home side held the lead for nearly the entire contest, a fierce late surge by Zamora narrowed the gap to a single point in the final minute before Oviedo sealed the result from the free-throw line.
Palacio de los Deportes Finish Tests Oviedo Resilience
The match stretched across two hours and ten minutes of intense play, characterized by momentum swings and aggressive runs from both squads. In the opening minutes, Caja Rural CB Zamora pressed the tempo, grabbing early advantages including a 3-6 lead and later a 9-11 edge following baskets by debutant Álex Jordá. Alimerka Oviedo Baloncesto responded through Brycen Goodine and Pjay Smith, whose five consecutive points closed out the first quarter with a 19-15 cushion for the hosts.
Oviedo extended that margin during the second period, building a 40-33 advantage behind contributions from Felix Terins. Although Zamora clawed back through Pau Isern and Isaiah Rivera, Smith sank a buzzer-beating triple just before halftime, sending Oviedo into the locker room ahead 43-38. Smith finished the first half with 19 points to anchor the home offense.
Pjay Smith Leads the Charge with 28 Points
The third quarter saw Oviedo push its advantage into double digits, reaching 59-49 and 61-51 before closing the period ahead 63-55. When Daniil Shelist opened the final frame with a three-pointer, the hosts claimed their largest lead of the night—that triple made it 66-55, an 11-point gap. Zamora refused to fold, orchestrating a relentless comeback that culminated when Álex Jordá drilled back-to-back triples, slicing Oviedo’s lead to 78-77 with just 33.3 seconds remaining on the clock.
With the game hanging in the balance, Zamora missed a chance to take the lead when Francis Nwaokorie failed to connect from beyond the arc. Isaiah Rivera secured the rebound and pushed a fast break, but turned the ball over. Forced to foul, Zamora sent Pjay Smith to the line. Smith converted critical free throws in the final seconds—finishing with a game-high 28 points, five rebounds, and four assists across 27 minutes and 42 seconds of action—to ice an 81-77 victory for the carbayones.
Alimerka Oviedo Baloncesto Wins Third Straight League Game
The hard-fought win moves Alimerka Oviedo Baloncesto to three straight victories in league play, highlighting a growing ability to grind out tight finishes. Coverage pointed out that while the team showed necessary consistency in crunch time, the victory also required weathering a massive defensive lapse that nearly erased their comfortable cushion. In their previous outing against Burgos, the asturianos similarly flirted with danger before escaping with a fortunate result.
Debutant Álex Jordá injected immediate spark into the lineup, partnering with Isaiah Rivera and Asier González to expose gaps in Oviedo’s perimeter defense. Yet unforced turnovers in the dying seconds ultimately cost Zamora the chance to steal a crucial away win.
Remaining Questions in the Schedule
As the schedule intensifies, observers are left examining whether Oviedo can maintain its winning streak without requiring these nail-biting finishes down the stretch. While the offense continues to find answers through standout individual performances like Smith’s 28-point masterclass and Goodine’s 12 points, defensive consistency remains a talking point as tougher opponents loom on the calendar.
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