II Torneo Xacobeo: Willy Hernangomez sends Unicaja to the title with clutch free throws

Unicaja Baloncesto edged Monbus Obradoiro 86-84 on Sunday to win the II Torneo Xacobeo, closing out its preseason with a fifth win in six outings after surviving a wild finish decided from the free-throw line.
Willy Hernangomez (210-C-1994) was the story of the game, finishing with 21 points, 10 rebounds and a game-high 25 efficiency rating, but Unicaja needed every bit of it in the end. The Malaga side controlled much of the contest after an even opening quarter that closed tied at 19-19, pulling away in the second period on a 27-20 push to lead 46-39 at the break, then extended the margin further in the third quarter to lead 72-62 heading into the fourth. Monbus refused to fold, however, ripping off an 11-2 run late to cut the deficit to 74-73, and the game only tightened from there.
Alberto Diaz (190-G-1994) set up the eventual go-ahead basket with a steal that found Hernangomez for a layup, and when Cameron Hunt (192-SG-1997, college: Southwestern, KS) followed with a three-pointer that appeared to seal it, Monbus answered with a 6-0 run of its own to tie the game with 18 seconds left. Hunt was then fouled on the ensuing possession and calmly sank both free throws with three seconds remaining to put Unicaja ahead for good at 86-84. Monbus got one last look on a long three-pointer from Leonardo Meindl (201-SF-1993), but it fell off the mark and the score held.
Meindl led all scorers for Monbus with 20 points in just 20 minutes on the floor, while Joel Soriano (208-C-2000, college: St.John's) and Yunio Barrueta (196-F/G-1993, college: Barry, agency: BIG) each added 10. For Unicaja, Hunt finished with 13 points to go with Hernangomez's 21, and Ignas Brazdeikis (201-G/F-1999, college: Michigan) and Kendrick Perry (183-PG-1992, college: YSU) both chipped in 10.