Mineros de Zacatecas opened their Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional campaign with a statement, defeating Diablos Rojos 98-85 in a game they controlled from the second quarter onward. The home side shot the ball efficiently, won the rebounding battle, and turned a tight opening period into a comfortable double-digit victory in front of a lively crowd in Zacatecas.

The 13-point final margin flattered the visitors slightly, as Mineros led by as many as 21 in the third quarter before easing off the gas late. It was a performance built on balance rather than a single superstar, with four Zacatecas players finishing in double figures.

Match Overview

• Competition: Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP)
• Fixture: Mineros de Zacatecas vs. Diablos Rojos
• Final score: Mineros de Zacatecas 98 - 85 Diablos Rojos
• Date: September 11, 2026
• Result: Mineros de Zacatecas win by 13 points

Mineros came out with clear intent. Their first-quarter offense ran through high pick-and-roll action, forcing Diablos Rojos into early switches that Zacatecas attacked with quick ball movement. The visitors stayed within striking distance thanks to timely three-point shooting, but the pattern of the game was already set: Zacatecas was getting the shots it wanted, and Diablos Rojos was working much harder for its points.

How the Game Unfolded

The opening ten minutes were competitive. Both teams traded baskets, with Diablos Rojos finding some success in transition and Mineros answering from the perimeter. Zacatecas closed the first quarter with a small cushion, and the momentum carried into the second period.

That second quarter was where the game turned. Mineros tightened up defensively, held Diablos Rojos to a low-percentage stretch, and converted stops into easy baskets at the other end. A run midway through the period pushed the lead into double digits, and the home side went into the locker room with a comfortable advantage.

Diablos Rojos came out of halftime with more aggression, attacking the rim and drawing fouls to slow the game down. It worked briefly — they cut into the deficit and forced Mineros into a couple of rushed possessions — but Zacatecas responded with a decisive surge of their own, pushing the lead past 20 and effectively putting the result beyond doubt.

The fourth quarter was largely about game management. Mineros rotated their bench, emptied the shot clock on offense, and kept Diablos Rojos at arm's length. A late flurry from the visitors trimmed the margin to 13, but the outcome was never seriously in question over the final six minutes.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

• First quarter: Mineros 24 - 19 Diablos Rojos — Zacatecas sets the tone with efficient half-court offense.
• Second quarter: Mineros 27 - 22 Diablos Rojos — the decisive run arrives; the lead stretches into double digits.
• Third quarter: Diablos Rojos 24 - 21 Mineros — the visitors fight back, but Zacatecas answers every push.
• Fourth quarter: Mineros 26 - 20 Diablos Rojos — Mineros close it out from the free-throw line and in transition.

The half-time scoreline of 51-41 told the story of the first two quarters: Mineros were sharper, deeper, and more disciplined on both ends. Diablos Rojos managed just 41 points in the first half, well below what they needed to stay in touch against a team shooting as well as Zacatecas was.

Tactical Story

Two things decided this game: rebounding and three-point efficiency.

Mineros controlled the glass at both ends, limiting Diablos Rojos to very few second-chance opportunities while generating extra possessions of their own. That advantage showed up in the shot-attempt differential, and over 40 minutes it is very difficult to overcome.

From the perimeter, Zacatecas was the more consistent team. They moved the ball patiently, found open shooters in rhythm, and punished Diablos Rojos whenever the defense collapsed into the paint. Diablos Rojos, by contrast, relied more heavily on individual creation — effective in spurts, but not sustainable against a defense that was communicating well and closing out hard.

Diablos Rojos' best stretch came early in the third quarter, when they pushed the tempo and got into the paint before Zacatecas' defense could set. Once Mineros adjusted and got back in transition, that avenue closed.

Standout Performances

Mineros spread the scoring load effectively, with four players reaching double figures and a fifth finishing just short. The backcourt set the tempo, the wings knocked down open looks, and the interior rotation did