The defending Basketball Champions League (BCL) titleholders, Unicaja, have started their 2025-26 season in fantastic form. They secured a commanding 97–66 victory at home against Mersin Sports Club, sending a clear message to their rivals.
Unicaja’s win was a true team effort, with six players scoring in double digits. Their balanced attack and impressive long-range shooting were key to their success.
🏀 A Balanced Attack Powers the Champions
Unicaja showed incredible depth, with 11 different players getting on the scoreboard. Xavier Castaneda led the team with 17 points, closely followed by Kendrick Perry with 14. Tyler Kalinoski and Chris Duarte each added 12 points, while Tyson Perez and Nihad Djedovic contributed 10 points apiece. The team was especially effective from beyond the arc, making an impressive 18 of their 34 three-point attempts.
💪 Mersin Struggles to Keep Up
For Mersin, it was a difficult start to the season. Anthony Cowan was their standout player, scoring 17 points and providing four assists. However, he was the only player on his team to reach double figures in scoring. Ben Bentil was the next highest scorer with just nine points, highlighting the team’s offensive challenges against Unicaja’s strong defense.
⏱️ Total Control from Start to Finish
Unicaja took control of the game right from the beginning. They established a solid 22–11 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. By halftime, their advantage had grown to 20 points at 51–31. Even with a comfortable 23-point lead heading into the final quarter, coach Ibon Navarro’s team continued to play with intensity, finishing the game strong and sealing a dominant opening-night win.
