Mineros de Zacatecas kicked off the first week of September with a commanding 96-86 victory over Abejas de Leon in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP) on Friday, September 4, 2026. Playing in front of an energized home crowd in Zacatecas, the Mineros used a dominant third-quarter run to pull away and secure a valuable win in the early stages of the 2026 regular season.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, the contest lived up to expectations as both sides came out with high energy. Abejas de Leon matched Mineros shot for shot in the first half, and the visiting team headed into the break trailing by just five points at 51-46. The second half, however, belonged to the home side. Mineros sharpened their defensive rotations, forced multiple turnovers, and converted them into quick transition baskets. A decisive 25-18 third quarter gave Mineros a 76-64 cushion, and they never looked back.

Abejas made a late push in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to single digits and threatening to make it a one-possession game. But Mineros answered with clutch free-throw shooting and enough defensive stops to keep the visitors at arm’s length, closing out the contest with a 10-point margin.

Key Moments

• Third-quarter surge: Mineros opened the second half with a 14-2 run, turning a tight game into a double-digit lead.
• Perimeter fire: The home team knocked down 12 three-pointers, repeatedly punishing Abejas’ pack-line defense.
• Late-game composure: After Abejas trimmed the lead to seven with about two minutes to play, Mineros responded with a 6-0 burst to seal the result.

Standout Players

Justin Collins was the clear offensive catalyst for Mineros de Zacatecas, finishing with a game-high 27 points. He connected on five three-pointers and was particularly dangerous in the third quarter when the home team took control. Center Luis Herrera provided a strong inside presence, posting a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds while anchoring the defensive glass.

For Abejas de Leon, forward Alexis Cervantes delivered a spirited performance with 24 points and eight rebounds. Point guard Marcus Williams also stood out for the visitors, contributing 18 points and seven assists, but his efforts were not enough to overcome Abejas’ defensive struggles after halftime.

Season and Table Impact

The win gives Mineros de Zacatecas a solid home result as they continue to build momentum in the 2026 LNBP standings. With a balanced scoring attack and an improving defensive identity, Mineros are positioning themselves as a team to watch in the competitive league landscape. Abejas de Leon, meanwhile, will need to correct their second-half consistency if they hope to climb the table after dropping this road contest. Both teams now turn their attention to the next stretch of the regular season, where every win matters in a tightly contested standings race.