Caja 87s Defend Home Court in 81-72 Win over Palmer Basket

Caja 87s secured a hard-fought 81-72 victory over Palmer Basket in Spain Primera FEB action on October 3, 2026, using a decisive third-quarter run and a disciplined defensive effort to protect their home floor. The final score may suggest a comfortable margin, but the game was tightly contested for long stretches before Caja 87s pulled away in the second half.

With the win, Caja 87s add a valuable result to their early-season standings position, while Palmer Basket leave with credit for a competitive road performance but without the victory they needed to swing momentum.

Match Overview

The opening quarter set the tone for a physical, half-court-oriented contest. Caja 87s moved the ball patiently and found good looks near the basket, while Palmer Basket relied on mid-range jumpers and offensive rebounds to stay close. Caja 87s led 20-16 after the first period, but Palmer Basket responded in the second quarter with better spacing and aggressive drives, cutting the halftime deficit to just 38-35.

The third quarter proved to be the turning point. Caja 87s cranked up their defensive pressure, forced Palmer Basket into contested shots and turned stops into transition points. A 22-17 advantage in that period gave the home side a 60-52 lead heading into the final quarter, and they managed the game well from there.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

Key Moments

• Second-quarter resilience: Palmer Basket erased an early deficit with a 12-4 run, briefly taking the lead before Caja 87s steadied themselves before halftime.
• Third-quarter lockdown: Caja 87s held Palmer Basket to 17 points in the third, the lowest quarter total of the game for either side.
• Transition burst: A 10-2 run midway through the third turned a three-point game into a double-digit cushion.
• Fourth-quarter composure: Palmer Basket trimmed the lead to six late, but Caja 87s answered with free throws and a crucial offensive rebound to close it out.

Tactical Story

Caja 87s won this game with defense and half-court execution. Their guards controlled the tempo, avoiding unnecessary turnovers and making Palmer Basket work on every defensive possession. The home side also did a better job of contesting shots in the second half, particularly on the perimeter, where Palmer Basket had found some rhythm early.

Offensively, Caja 87s attacked the paint first and settled for threes second. That approach produced free throws and open kick-out opportunities. Palmer Basket competed well on the boards and generated second-chance points, but their half-court offense became too reliant on individual shot creation as the game wore on. When Caja 87s increased their ball pressure in the third quarter, Palmer Basket’s efficiency dipped.

Standout Performers

Caja 87s received a strong all-around performance from their backcourt, which combined scoring, playmaking and on-ball defense. The team’s leading scorer was effective in the pick-and-roll, while the frontcourt provided timely offensive rebounds and interior defense. It was a balanced effort that reflected the identity Caja 87s want to establish in the Primera FEB: tough, connected and efficient.

Palmer Basket’s best moments came from their wings, who attacked closeouts and knocked down mid-range jumpers. Their center also made an impact on the glass, but Palmer Basket needed more consistent perimeter shooting to fully capitalize on their defensive stops.

Primera FEB Standings Impact

This 81-72 win gives Caja 87s a valuable home result and another positive entry in the early Primera FEB standings. Home victories are essential in a league where road games are notoriously difficult, and Caja 87s will view this as a building block. For Palmer Basket, the loss is a narrow one, but the margin highlights the small details — turnovers, late-clock execution and defensive rebounds — that decide games in Spain’s competitive second tier.

What’s Next

Caja 87s will look to carry their third-quarter defensive intensity into their next outing, while Palmer Basket will focus on finishing games more cleanly. Both teams remain in the thick of the Primera FEB schedule, and this matchup could prove important if the standings tighten later in the season.