Mineros de Zacatecas delivered a statement performance in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional on August 7, 2026, cruising to a dominant 98-76 victory over Correcaminos at home. The 22-point decision showcased a balanced offensive attack, relentless transition play, and a defensive effort that suffocated the visitors from the opening tip. With the win, Mineros strengthened their positioning in the LNBP standings and served notice that they remain one of the most dangerous teams in the league on their home floor.

Fast Start Sets the Tone

From the opening minutes, Mineros de Zacatecas looked determined to dictate the tempo. The home side jumped out to a 12-3 run behind efficient ball movement and sharp outside shooting, forcing Correcaminos into early timeouts. By the end of the first quarter, Zacatecas had built a 30-19 lead, and the margin only grew as the bench players maintained the same intensity.

The backcourt duo of Javier "El Halcón" Mendoza and Luis Ángel Torres proved too much for the Correcaminos perimeter defense. Mendoza finished with a team-leading 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while Torres added 8 assists and 6 rebounds, continually pushing the pace and finding open teammates in transition.

Defense and Rebounding Tell the Story

Mineros controlled the glass with a 44-32 rebounding advantage, limiting Correcaminos to second-chance opportunities. The interior presence of center Eduardo Castañeda was key; he recorded a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, anchoring a defense that held the visitors to just 41% shooting from the field.

Correcaminos struggled to find consistent scoring outside of Derrick Simmons, who poured in a game-high 27 points but received little support from his teammates. The visitors shot just 6-of-21 from three-point range and committed 16 turnovers, many of which led directly to easy baskets at the other end.

Second-Half Domination

Any hopes of a Correcaminos comeback were dashed after halftime. Zacatecas opened the third quarter with an 11-2 scoring run, stretching the lead to 71-48 and forcing Correcaminos into desperation mode. The Mineros’ defensive switching flustered the visitors all night, and by the fourth quarter the home crowd was already celebrating what had become a comfortable victory.

Head coach Ricardo Fuentes was able to rest several starters in the final period, using the extended minutes to develop young rotation players. The deep bench contributed 31 points, a sign of the team’s overall strength as the LNBP season continues.

What It Means for the Standings

The victory adds another important mark in Mineros de Zacatecas’s win column and improves their home record, a critical factor in the LNBP where home-court advantage often decides tightly contested playoff races. Correcaminos, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly and address their defensive issues after back-to-back road losses.

For fans of Mexican professional basketball, this performance reinforces why Mineros de Zacatecas are considered a serious title contender. Their ability to blend veteran leadership with an up-tempo style makes them a tough matchup on any given night.

• Key Stat: Mineros shot 54% from the field overall and 12-of-25 from beyond the arc.
• Turning Point: The 12-3 run to open the first quarter set the game’s tone.
• Next Up: Mineros will look to carry the momentum into their upcoming road games.