Instituto de Córdoba 74 - 70 Obras Sanitarias Buenos Aires
Liga Nacional de Básquet | 2 May 2026 | Estadio Ángel Sandrín

Instituto de Córdoba dug deep to grind out a hard-fought 74-70 victory over Obras Sanitarias Buenos Aires on Saturday night at the Estadio Ángel Sandrín, handing the visitors a frustrating defeat in a tight, low-possession contest. The win keeps Instituto well positioned in the upper half of the Liga Nacional de Básquet standings, while Obras will rue missed opportunities down the stretch.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, it was clear that this would be a defensive battle. Both teams struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm, with early turnovers and contested shots limiting scoring. Instituto managed to establish a narrow 18-16 lead after the first quarter, thanks largely to efficient inside finishing and second-chance points from offensive rebounds.

The second quarter saw Obras Sanitarias respond with increased defensive intensity, forcing Instituto into several shot-clock violations. However, the hosts' ability to draw fouls and convert from the free-throw line kept them ahead 38-35 at halftime.

Turning Point: Third Quarter Surge

The defining stretch came midway through the third period. Trailing 48-45, Instituto ignited a 10-2 run that shifted the momentum decisively. The home side's guards exploited mismatches in Obras' pick-and-roll defense, creating open looks from mid-range and finding cutters to the basket. By the end of the third quarter, Instituto had stretched the lead to 58-51.

Obras showed resilience early in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 64-62 with five minutes remaining. However, Instituto's veteran experience shone through as they calmly executed their half-court sets and made crucial stops. A key three-pointer by an Instituto perimeter shooter with 2:30 on the clock pushed the lead back to seven, effectively sealing the result.

Key Performances

• Instituto de Córdoba: Balanced scoring with four players finishing in double figures. The frontcourt was dominant on the glass, securing 14 offensive rebounds that translated into 16 second-chance points.
• Obras Sanitarias Buenos Aires: Despite the loss, Obras' leading scorer managed 22 points on efficient shooting. Poor three-point shooting (6-of-22) and 15 giveaways proved costly.

Game Statistics

• Field goal percentage: Instituto 44% - Obras 42%
• Three-point shooting: Instituto 8-of-23 (35%) - Obras 6-of-22 (27%)
• Free throws: Instituto 14-of-18 (78%) - Obras 10-of-14 (71%)
• Rebounds: Instituto 42 - Obras 36
• Turnovers: Instituto 12 - Obras 15

Impact on the League Table

The victory improves Instituto's record in the Liga Nacional de Básquet and provides crucial momentum as the regular season enters its final stretch. With the playoffs approaching, every win matters in the tightly contested Argentine top flight. For Obras, the defeat represents a missed opportunity to climb into the top four, leaving them with work to do in their remaining fixtures.

Instituto will look to build on this result when they face another top-tier opponent next week, while Obras must quickly regroup to avoid slipping further in the standings.