Astros de Jalisco held off a stubborn Dorados side to claim an 87-80 victory in Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional action on Sunday, closing out a hard-fought home win in front of a loud Arena Astros crowd in Guadalajara. The win keeps the Astros on track in the LNBP campaign and hands Dorados a frustrating road defeat in a game they led for stretches of the second half.

The final margin of seven points flatters neither team. This was a one-possession game deep into the fourth quarter before the Astros finally broke it open with a decisive run in the closing minutes, turning a 74-72 edge into a comfortable cushion at the buzzer.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, the game followed a clear pattern: Astros de Jalisco wanted to play fast, push the ball in transition and attack the rim, while Dorados preferred a more controlled half-court game built around perimeter shooting and pick-and-roll actions. Both teams got what they wanted for long stretches, which is exactly why the score stayed tight.

Jalisco's home-court advantage was visible early. The Astros opened with energy on the defensive end, forced a pair of turnovers in the first four minutes, and rode that into an early double-digit lead before Dorados steadied themselves. The visitors answered with a patient offensive stretch, knocking down outside shots and drawing fouls to climb back into it before halftime.

By the break, the Astros had a slim advantage and the game already felt like it would go down to the wire — a prediction that held up for the next twenty minutes.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

• First quarter: Astros 24, Dorados 18 — Jalisco's pressure defense and transition scoring set the tone.
• Second quarter: Astros 22, Dorados 20 — Dorados found rhythm from beyond the arc and trimmed into the lead.
• Third quarter: Dorados 22, Astros 19 — the visitors' best stretch, briefly taking the lead in the period.
• Fourth quarter: Astros 22, Dorados 20 — Jalisco's late run and free-throw accuracy sealed it.

The third quarter was where Dorados looked most dangerous. Their ball movement stretched the Astros' defense, and a series of second-chance points off offensive rebounds gave them momentum and briefly the lead. But Jalisco's response in the fourth — a tightened defensive rotation and more deliberate shot selection — proved to be the difference.

Key Moments

The turning point arrived with just under five minutes remaining. With the game tied and both teams trading empty possessions, the Astros strung together a 9-2 run anchored by a corner three and a transition dunk that brought the home crowd to its feet. Dorados called timeout, but the rhythm had already shifted.

From there, Jalisco closed the game the way good teams do: at the free-throw line. Dorados were forced to foul in the final ninety seconds, and the Astros converted consistently enough to keep the lead out of reach. A late Dorados three kept the scoreline respectable, but the outcome was never seriously in doubt after that Jalisco surge.

Tactical Story of the Game

Two contrasting identities shaped this contest:

• Astros de Jalisco: Aggressive on-ball pressure, high tempo, heavy rim attack and second-chance hustle. Their depth off the bench allowed them to keep the defensive intensity high even as starters rotated out.
• Dorados: Disciplined half-court execution, spacing around the three-point line and a willingness to slow the game down. Their problem was rebounding — Jalisco's extra possessions in the paint repeatedly erased Dorados' offensive gains.

The rebounding battle, more than shooting percentages, decided this game. Astros de Jalisco's ability to win the boards on both ends gave them more shots, more free throws and ultimately more points in a game where neither team shot the lights out.

Standout Performers

For the Astros, the backcourt controlled the tempo throughout, mixing drives with timely kick-out passes, while the interior presence on the glass was relentless. Jalisco's bench also deserves credit: the second unit held its own during a difficult stretch late in the first half and prevented Dorados from building a real lead.

Dorados, meanwhile, had stretches where their perimeter shooting kept them in the game, and their defensive effort in the third quarter was the best either team produced all night. In the end, though, they lacked the inside scoring to punish Jalisco when the Astros overextended on the perimeter.

What the Result Means

The victory strengthens Astros de Jalisco's position in the LNBP standings and reinforces their reputation as one of the toughest home teams in the lea