Anahuac Queretaro Holds Off Tec Mty Santa Fe 96-90 in Mexico ABE League

Final score: Anahuac Queretaro 96, Tec Mty Santa Fe 90

Anahuac Queretaro delivered a composed road performance on Sunday, September 27, 2026, defeating Tec Mty Santa Fe 96-90 in a Mexico ABE League matchup that remained undecided until the closing seconds. In a game featuring 11 lead changes and seven ties, Anahuac’s late-game execution and interior control proved decisive, handing Tec Mty Santa Fe a frustrating home loss at Gimnasio Santa Fe.

The result lifts Anahuac Queretaro to 4-1 in the ABE League regular season, strengthening its position among the early contenders. Tec Mty Santa Fe drops to 3-2, still very much in the playoff picture but left to rue a fourth quarter in which it twice held the lead before Anahuac closed with an 11-4 run.

Match Overview

Tec Mty Santa Fe came out with energy in front of its home crowd, using a small, quick lineup and aggressive full-court pressure to force early turnovers. Anahuac Queretaro weathered that opening storm, settled into its half-court offense, and gradually took control of the paint. The game was played at a high tempo, with both teams pushing the ball after misses and looking to attack before the defense could set.

Anahuac finished with a 42-34 rebounding advantage and converted 16 second-chance points, a major factor in a game decided by six points. Tec Mty Santa Fe stayed close behind timely three-point shooting and the playmaking of its backcourt, but Anahuac’s balance inside and out gave it the edge when the possessions grew more physical in the fourth quarter.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

• First quarter: Tec Mty Santa Fe 24, Anahuac Queretaro 22
• Second quarter: Tec Mty Santa Fe 23, Anahuac Queretaro 25
• Halftime: Tec Mty Santa Fe 47, Anahuac Queretaro 47
• Third quarter: Tec Mty Santa Fe 22, Anahuac Queretaro 27
• Fourth quarter: Tec Mty Santa Fe 21, Anahuac Queretaro 22
• Final: Tec Mty Santa Fe 90, Anahuac Queretaro 96

Tec Mty Santa Fe opened with an 8-0 run and led 14-6 midway through the first quarter, but Anahuac answered behind early baskets in the paint. The second quarter turned into a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to build a cushion. Anahuac briefly led 36-31 after a 10-2 spurt, but Tec closed the half on a 9-3 run to send the teams into the break tied at 47-47.

The third quarter was where Anahuac created separation. A 13-4 run to open the period gave the visitors a 60-51 lead, and although Tec Mty Santa Fe cut into the deficit late in the quarter, Anahuac still carried a 74-69 advantage into the fourth. Tec’s response came through defensive pressure and quick transition baskets, but Anahuac had just enough shot-making left in the final two minutes.

Key Moments and Late-Game Execution

Tec Mty Santa Fe erased the deficit in the fourth quarter and took an 82-80 lead on a strong inside finish by Andrés Cárdenas. The home crowd was fully engaged when Diego Valdés buried a three-pointer with 2:18 remaining to put Tec ahead 86-85, capping a 17-11 run to begin the period.

From there, Anahuac Queretaro executed almost perfectly. Sebastián Lozano drove for a go-ahead layup at the 1:54 mark, then turned a Emilio Fuentes block into a transition three-pointer with 1:27 left, pushing the lead to 90-86. Valdés made two free throws to bring Tec within 90-88, but Jorge Mena answered with a floater in the lane. Cárdenas scored again inside to make it 92-90, only for Lozano to knock down two pressure free throws with 11 seconds remaining. Mena sealed the win with a steal and fast-break finish at the buzzer, closing the 96-90 final.

Tactical Story: Anahuac’s Inside-Out Balance vs. Tec’s Pressure

Tec Mty Santa Fe’s game plan centered on pace and pressure. The home side used a full-court press after made baskets, tried to trap ball-handlers near the sidelines, and looked to generate quick offense through Valdés and Rodrigo Ibarra. It worked in spurts, particularly during a first-quarter run and again in the fourth, but Anahuac’s guards stayed poised against the traps and repeatedly found the extra pass.

Anahuac Queretaro leaned on its half-court structure. Fuentes established position early in the paint, forcing Tec to help defensively, and that opened driving lanes for Lozano and Mena. When Tec collapsed on the big man, Anahuac kicked out for open threes or attacked the offensive glass. The visitors also switched between man-to-man and a compact zone look, slowing Tec’s rhythm just enough in the third quarter to build the lead that ultimately held up.

Standout Players

• Sebastián Lozano, Anahuac Queretaro: 28 points on