Casademont Zaragoza produced one of their most complete performances of the preseason, defeating UCAM Murcia CB 87-72 in a Club Friendship exhibition on 20 September 2026. A fast, fluid first half gave the Aragonese side a double-digit cushion, and they managed the game expertly from there to close out a comfortable win.

For a friendly fixture, the intensity was genuine. Both clubs are deep into their preparations for the new Liga Endesa campaign, and the matchup offered coaches a valuable look at rotations, defensive schemes and the integration of new signings.

Match Overview

Zaragoza set the tone immediately, pushing the ball in transition and finding open shooters against a Murcia defence that looked a step slow in the opening quarter. The hosts' ball movement was crisp, and their early lead gave them the freedom to experiment with lineups.

The quarter-by-quarter breakdown shows how consistently Zaragoza controlled proceedings:

• First quarter: Zaragoza 24-18
• Second quarter: Zaragoza 20-16
• Third quarter: Murcia 21-22
• Fourth quarter: Zaragoza 21-17
• Final: Casademont Zaragoza 87-72

Murcia's best spell came either side of half-time, when a more aggressive defensive approach forced a handful of Zaragoza turnovers. But the visitors could never string together enough stops to seriously threaten the lead.

How Zaragoza Built the Win

Three factors stood out for Zaragoza: shooting efficiency, rebounding and bench production. They shot the ball well from the perimeter, converted their free-throw opportunities, and got meaningful contributions from the second unit that kept the energy high even when the starters rested.

Defensively, Zaragoza's pick-and-roll coverage was disciplined. They forced Murcia into mid-range shots and limited easy paint touches, which is exactly the profile a coach wants to see in a preseason tune-up.

Standout Players

Santi Yusta led a balanced scoring effort with an efficient night from the wing, mixing drives with catch-and-shoot opportunities. Trae Bell-Haynes controlled tempo from the point guard spot, delivering timely passes and getting to the rim when Murcia's defence overcommitted. Inside, Bojan Dubljević provided a reliable post presence and helped Zaragoza win the rebounding battle, while Tryggvi Hlinason protected the rim and finished around the basket.

For UCAM Murcia, Dylan Ennis was the primary offensive threat, creating his own shot and keeping his team competitive during the third-quarter run. Nemanja Radović worked hard on the boards and scored in the paint, and Troy Caupain offered steady perimeter play, but Murcia's overall shooting night left them chasing the game.

Key Moments

• Opening burst: Zaragoza raced to an early lead behind quick ball movement and transition buckets.
• Bench impact: A strong second-quarter run from the reserves pushed the margin toward 12 at the break.
• Murcia's challenge: A 9-2 start to the third quarter briefly cut the deficit, forcing a Zaragoza timeout.
• Closing stretch: Zaragoza responded with a composed fourth quarter, converting free throws and running the clock effectively.

What It Means Ahead of the Season

Preseason results are rarely decisive, but the manner of this win will please Zaragoza's staff. An 87-point outing with balanced scoring, strong rebounding and a functioning second unit suggests the roster is gelling at the right time, with the Liga Endesa season fast approaching.

For UCAM Murcia, the defeat highlights areas to refine — particularly half-court shot creation and defensive rebounding — but the Club Friendship format exists precisely to expose those issues before the games start counting. Both clubs will take useful lessons from a competitive, well-attended exhibition in Zaragoza.