Lucentum Alicante delivered one of their most complete defensive performances of the season on 13 September 2026, beating Granada 75–55 in the Club Friendship competition. A 20-point winning margin built on relentless half-court defence gave the home crowd plenty to enjoy, and the result strengthens Alicante's position as one of the toughest teams to score against in the tournament.

Match Overview

Holding an opponent to 55 points is a statement in any competition, and Alicante did it without ever appearing to take unnecessary risks. They controlled the tempo from the opening tip, forced Granada into a series of difficult, late-clock attempts and gradually pulled away across the middle two quarters.

• Final score: Lucentum Alicante 75 – 55 Granada
• Competition: Club Friendship
• Date: 13 September 2026
• Winning margin: 20 points (Lucentum Alicante)
• Defensive highlight: Granada held to 55 points

How the Game Unfolded

The first quarter was a cagey, physical affair. Granada tried to establish their big men early and worked the ball inside, while Alicante answered with patient offence and a willingness to attack the offensive glass. Neither side shot the ball particularly well in the opening minutes, and the first period ended with Alicante holding a narrow but deserved advantage.

The second quarter is where the game began to turn. Alicante tightened their perimeter defence, closed out hard on shooters and contested every pass into the post. Granada's offence grew stagnant — possessions became isolation plays and contested mid-range jumpers — and Alicante capitalised at the other end with transition points off long rebounds. By half-time the lead had grown into double digits.

The third quarter removed any doubt. Alicante opened with a sustained run, mixing inside scoring with open three-pointers generated by excellent ball movement. Granada called timeouts to try to stem the tide, but their shooting woes continued and the deficit continued to climb past 20 points. The final period was played at a more relaxed pace, with both coaches rotating their benches, and Alicante closed out the win comfortably.

Key Moments

• Late first quarter: Alicante's defensive stops set up easy transition baskets that gave them the first real separation of the night.
• Second-quarter run: A sustained stretch of pressure defence turned a tight game into a double-digit lead.
• Third-quarter burst: Alicante's best passage of the match pushed the margin beyond 20 and effectively ended the contest.
• Fourth quarter: Rotation players saw meaningful minutes, and the home side maintained their defensive standards to the final buzzer.

Tactical Story

Alicante's game plan was clear and executed almost perfectly: shrink the floor, deny easy entry passes into the post and dare Granada to beat them from the perimeter. Granada never found an answer. Their half-court offence lacked movement, the ball stuck on the strong side too often, and the resulting shots were exactly the ones Alicante wanted them to take.

Offensively, Alicante were patient rather than spectacular early on, but their efficiency improved sharply once they started generating stops. Transition baskets off defensive rebounds and live-ball turnovers gave them the low-effort points that decide games of this kind. Their rebounding on both ends was also a major factor, limiting Granada's second-chance opportunities while creating extra possessions of their own.

Standout Performers

Alicante's guards controlled the game on both ends, applying full-court pressure, organising the offence and knocking down open shots when Granada's defence collapsed. Their interior players protected the rim, contested shots without fouling and finished efficiently around the basket, while the bench contributed valuable energy during the decisive third-quarter run.

For Granada, it was a frustrating night. A few individuals kept working hard on the defensive end and showed flashes of quality in isolation, but the team as a whole never found offensive rhythm. Free throws and second-chance points were the only reliable source of scoring for long stretches.

What It Means

The win gives Lucentum Alicante a valuable boost in the Club Friendship standings and reinforces the identity they have been building: a team that wins with defence, controls tempo and makes opponents work for every single point. A 20-point home win of this nature is the kind of result that builds belief across a roster.

For Granada, the priority is clearly the offence. Shooting 55 points in a competitive fixture puts enor