Unicaja finished their Basketball Champions League Playoffs on a high, beating La Laguna Tenerife 85-80 in the Match for 3rd place at Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena in Málaga. After trailing most of the night, the hosts closed with poise and free throws to grab the medal.

Free throws and boards made the difference

Tenerife led for 22:46 and went into the fourth quarter ahead, but Unicaja controlled the final 10 minutes 25-18. The decisive stretch featured three late free throws from Tyler Kalinoski that pushed the gap to two possessions, moments after Jaime Fernández hit a three to make it 82-80.

The numbers back the swing. Unicaja shot 19/22 at the line at 86 percent while Tenerife went 10/13. The home side also dominated the glass 37-28 with a 12-5 edge in offensive rebounds, turning extra possessions into points. Field goals were level at 29 each, so the free throws and rebounding tilt told the story.

Key performers and Sofascore Ratings

Chase Audige led Unicaja with 15 points, adding 3 assists and a block, earning a Sofascore Rating of 7.5. Killian Tillie chipped in 13 points with three triples and 6 rebounds at 7.2, while Kalinoski delivered 12 points and perfect 5/5 from the line for a 6.9. Olek Balcerowski brought impact off the bench with 11 points and a team-best +12 plus-minus at 7.2. Kendrick Perry added 9 points and 4 assists at 7.0.

For La Laguna Tenerife, Patty Mills poured in a game-high 23 points on 5/9 from three for a 7.6 Sofascore Rating. Giorgi Shermadini was nearly automatic inside with 14 points on 6/7 shooting at 7.1. Fernández had 13 points and 4 assists at 7.1, and Fran Guerra provided 10 points, 4 rebounds and a team-best +8 off the bench at 7.6.

How the game unfolded

Unicaja started 24-22 after Q1, then Tenerife took control to lead 45-41 at halftime and 62-60 after three. The fourth quarter was the decider with 17 total lead changes in the game keeping everyone on their toes.

Big shots arrived in clusters. Perry tied it at 72-72 with 5 minutes left, James Webb III drilled a corner three for 81-77, and Fernández answered from deep for 82-80. Kalinoski then iced it at the stripe. Unicaja kept turnovers down to 9 compared to Tenerife’s 12 and shared the ball with 22 assists to 19.

On Sofascore you can relive the key plays, check the full box score and every Sofascore Rating from Málaga. Not a bad way to end a Playoffs run.