Mineros de Zacatecas Take Down Diablos Rojos 97-86 in LNBP Showdown

The Mineros de Zacatecas protected home advantage with a composed 97-86 victory over the Diablos Rojos in Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP) action on October 13, 2026. In a game that stayed close through three quarters, the Mineros pulled away down the stretch, outscoring their visitors in the final period to secure a double-digit win in front of a loud crowd in Zacatecas.

The result adds another valuable entry to the Mineros' season record and reinforces their reputation as one of the tougher home teams in the league, while the Diablos Rojos leave with a competitive performance but a frustrating loss in a matchup that could matter when the playoff seedings are sorted out.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, the game shaped up as a contrast in styles. The Mineros de Zacatecas leaned on their half-court execution, patient ball movement, and a willingness to attack the paint, while the Diablos Rojos looked to push the tempo and generate early offense in transition. That battle of pace kept the scoreboard tight, but Zacatecas' efficiency in the half court ultimately proved to be the difference.

• Final score: Mineros de Zacatecas 97, Diablos Rojos 86
• Competition: Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP)
• Date: October 13, 2026
• Margin of victory: 11 points

How the Game Unfolded

The first half was a back-and-forth affair. The Diablos Rojos came out aggressive, knocking down perimeter shots and getting to the rim off dribble penetration to keep the Mineros from building any early cushion. Zacatecas responded the way good home teams do: by slowing things down, working the ball inside, and converting second-chance opportunities off the offensive glass. By halftime, neither side had managed to establish real separation, and the visitors went into the locker room believing they had a real chance at an upset.

The third quarter is where the Mineros began to assert control. A sustained run built on defensive stops and quick offense pushed the lead into double digits for the first time, and the home crowd responded accordingly. The Diablos Rojos answered with a run of their own, cutting the deficit back to a single possession at one point, but every time they threatened, Zacatecas found a response — a corner three, a tough finish in traffic, or a critical defensive rebound.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Mineros. Their half-court defense tightened, forcing the Diablos into contested jumpers and late-clock situations, while offensively they consistently generated high-percentage looks. Free-throw shooting in the closing minutes sealed the deal, pushing the final margin to 97-86 and denying the visitors any realistic path to a comeback.

Tactical Story of the Night

Three factors stood out in the Mineros' winning formula:

• Interior control: Zacatecas consistently won the battle in the paint, scoring efficiently around the rim and drawing fouls that put the Diablos Rojos in early penalty situations.
• Rebounding edge: Second-chance points and defensive boards allowed the Mineros to limit the visitors' transition chances and control the rhythm of the game.
• Late-game execution: In the final six minutes, the Mineros ran their offense with patience, working the shot clock and converting at the free-throw line to close out the win.

For the Diablos Rojos, the offense showed flashes of real quality. Their guards created well off the dribble, and the team moved the ball effectively in the first half. The problem was consistency — scoring droughts in the third and fourth quarters allowed Zacatecas to build and then protect a lead. Defensive rotations were also a step slow against the Mineros' ball movement, leading to open looks from the perimeter and easy baskets inside.

Standout Performers

Zacatecas' balanced attack was the story of the night. Rather than relying on a single scorer, the Mineros got contributions across the rotation, with their frontcourt anchoring the paint and their backcourt controlling tempo and knocking down timely shots. That depth is exactly what makes them a difficult opponent in the LNBP, particularly at home, where their shooting confidence tends to rise.

The Diablos Rojos, meanwhile, got a strong effort from their perimeter players, who kept the team within striking distance for much of the contest. Their inability to get stops during Zacatecas' decisive runs, however, proved costly. In a league where road wins are hard to come by, the Diablos will need to tighten their defensive communication if they want to steal games away from home later in the season.

Season Impact and