Mineros de Zacatecas take down Abejas de León 90-78 in LNBP clash

The Mineros de Zacatecas protected their home floor with a composed 90-78 victory over the Abejas de León in Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional action on October 2, 2026. A balanced offensive effort and a decisive third-quarter run allowed the Mineros to pull away from a stubborn Abejas side, securing a 12-point win that strengthens their position in the LNBP standings.

Zacatecas never trailed by more than a single possession after halftime, and once the defensive intensity rose in the third period, the Abejas had no answer. The final score reflected the Mineros’ control over the paint and their ability to convert stops into quick transition points.

Match overview

The game was played at the Auditorio Municipal de Zacatecas, where the home crowd provided an energetic backdrop from the opening tip. Both teams entered the contest looking to climb the league table, and the early exchanges suggested a tight, high-scoring affair.

• Final score: Mineros de Zacatecas 90, Abejas de León 78
• Competition: Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP)
• Date: October 2, 2026
• Venue: Auditorio Municipal de Zacatecas
• Quarter scores: 24-22, 47-43, 72-60, 90-78

How the game unfolded

The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with Abejas de León using quick ball movement and perimeter shooting to keep pace. Zacatecas led 24-22 after ten minutes, but the visitors refused to let the Mineros build any real separation. The second period followed a similar pattern: both teams traded baskets, and the half ended with Zacatecas holding a narrow 47-43 advantage.

That changed after the break. Mineros head coach emphasized defensive rotations and rebounding during halftime, and his team responded with its best stretch of the game. A 12-2 run early in the third quarter turned a four-point lead into a 59-45 cushion. The Abejas tried to respond with three-pointers, but their outside shots stopped falling, and Zacatecas closed the quarter ahead 72-60.

León made one final push in the fourth, trimming the deficit to 76-69 with just under six minutes remaining. But the Mineros answered immediately with an 8-0 burst, capped by a fast-break dunk, to restore a double-digit lead. From there, Zacatecas managed the clock and knocked down free throws to seal the 90-78 win.

Key moments and turning point

The turning point came midway through the third quarter. With the score at 50-45, Mineros guard Diego Herrera stole an errant pass and raced the other way for a layup. That play sparked a 12-2 run that included two three-pointers from Jordan Salazar and a pair of offensive rebounds converted into second-chance points by Marcus Thomas. The Abejas never recovered their rhythm.

Another crucial sequence arrived in the fourth. After Abejas cut the lead to seven, Zacatecas forced three consecutive empty possessions and scored on each of its next four trips down the floor. The home side’s defensive rebounding and transition execution effectively ended the comeback attempt.

Tactical story: paint dominance and perimeter defense

Zacatecas won this game inside. The Mineros outscored Abejas de León 44-30 in the paint and held a 42-34 rebounding edge, including 13 offensive boards that led to 17 second-chance points. Center Luis Bethelmy anchored the interior defense with nine rebounds and two blocks, while Thomas provided a physical presence on both ends.

Defensively, the Mineros prioritized running the Abejas off the three-point line. León entered the game as one of the more prolific outside-shooting teams in the LNBP, but on this night it finished just 9-of-32 from beyond the arc (28.1%). Zacatecas also forced 14 turnovers and converted them into 19 points. The fast-break battle was equally lopsided: Mineros 18, Abejas 8.

Standout players

• Diego Herrera (Mineros): 22 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds — controlled the tempo and hit timely shots in the third quarter.
• Marcus Thomas (Mineros): 18 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks — a dominant two-way performance in the frontcourt.
• Luis Bethelmy (Mineros): 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks — efficient inside and a defensive anchor.
• Jordan Salazar (Mineros): 12 points, 5 assists, 3 steals — provided energy and outside shooting off the bench.
• Jared Ruiz (Abejas): 20 points, 5 rebounds — kept León within striking distance for three quarters.
• Kane Keita (Abejas): 16 points, 8 rebounds — battled hard in the paint but lacked consistent help.

LNBP standings and season impact

With the win, Mineros de Z