Valencia overturn Casademont Zaragoza in the fourth quarter

Valencia broke Casademont Zaragoza’s resistance in the fourth quarter. In the second round of Liga Endesa, the visitors overturned a game their hosts had controlled for long stretches, putting together a 31-15 quarter to secure their first Liga Endesa victory of 2026-27 at Príncipe Felipe.

Casademont Zaragoza took charge early, with Tray Bell-Haynes directing play and his team controlling the rebounds at both ends. Valencia fell nine points behind, 18-9 after six minutes, as Jaworski and Miguel González each made two three-pointers. Gabriel Olaseni’s work inside and Guillem Vives’ influence then helped the home side retain control. Jaworski also helped his team withstand Valencia’s first push.

Valencia had less time to prepare, with a EuroLeague double round between its games. TJ Shorts helped keep the visitors in contention; Xavi Albert had to bring him back onto the floor sooner as the danger of losing touch grew. Caleb Homesley’s defence helped Casademont hold firm, but Valencia began moving the ball more effectively with Álvaro Cárdenas and eventually took the lead in a spell when both teams struggled to execute.

After the break, Nikola Mirotic put Valencia back in front. Vives and Nico Brussino kept Casademont in the contest, with the score tied at 57-57 in the 27th minute. Jaworski then helped the home side open a five-point gap, but TJ Shorts stood up to the pressure. Three-pointers from Shorts and Josep Puerto restored parity for the visitors. Puerto, moved to power forward, scored 16 points; Shorts had 21 and Mirotic 17.

Valencia’s three-point shooting, with Cárdenas and Taylor among those contributing, turned the game in the final quarter. Casademont also paid for unforced mistakes on open shots: Valencia led 83-73 in the 36th minute. Jaworski’s 22 points were not enough to prevent the turnaround. Valencia had also just played in France and managed the closing stretch with accuracy from beyond the arc, capping a week that included two European wins and this ACB victory. The second-round game was played at Príncipe Felipe de Zaragoza in front of 7,364 spectators.