Soles de Mexicali opened their home campaign in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional with a hard-fought 78–71 victory over Mineros de Zacatecas on August 22, 2026. Playing in front of a lively crowd at the Auditorio del Estado, Soles used a strong defensive stretch in the fourth quarter to pull away after a back-and-forth contest that saw Mineros lead for much of the first half.

Match Overview

The game started at a frantic pace, with both teams trading baskets and neither side able to establish control. Mineros de Zacatecas, known for their physical interior play, attacked the paint early and built a seven-point lead late in the second quarter. However, Soles responded with a 9–2 run before halftime, cutting the deficit to 40–38 at the break.

After the interval, the Mexicali defense tightened considerably. They forced three consecutive turnovers early in the third quarter, flipping the momentum. The home side took their first lead of the half on a transition layup, and from there the game turned into a grind. Mineros kept it close with timely three-point shooting, but Soles maintained a narrow edge entering the final frame.

Key Moments

• Fourth-quarter lockdown: With the score tied at 64–64 with seven minutes remaining, Soles de Mexicali held Mineros to just two field goals over the next five minutes, rattling off an 11–4 run.
• Free-throw poise: Soles shot 12-of-14 from the line in the final two minutes, sealing the win.
• Bench contribution: The Mexicali bench outscored Zacatecas’ reserves 24–11, providing a crucial edge in a low-scoring contest.

Standout Players

For Soles, veteran guard José “Pepe” Ramírez led all scorers with 22 points, including eight in the decisive fourth quarter. Import forward Marcus Bell added a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, anchoring the defensive glass late. Point guard Diego Ávila orchestrated the offense efficiently, finishing with nine assists and only two turnovers.

Mineros de Zacatecas were paced by Carlos Mendoza, who poured in 18 points and grabbed six rebounds. Center Andrés Fuentes was a force inside with 12 points and 11 boards, but his foul trouble in the fourth quarter limited his ability to contest Soles’ drives. Guard Isaiah Carter hit three triples and finished with 11 points, yet the visitors could not manufacture enough stops down the stretch.

Statistical and Tactical Story

The game was decided on the defensive end. Soles held Mineros to just 31% shooting in the second half and forced 16 total turnovers, converting those into 19 points. By contrast, Zacatecas managed only six fast-break points all night. Soles also controlled the boards, outrebounding Mineros 42–36, which limited second-chance opportunities for the visitors.

Mineros will regret a 3-of-12 stretch from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter, as they fell behind on the scoreboard while struggling to find clean looks. Soles, meanwhile, got to the rim at will in the final minutes, repeatedly breaking down the Mineros defense off pick-and-roll actions.

Standings and Season Impact

With the win, Soles de Mexicali improved to 2–1 on the young LNBP season and remain undefeated at home. Mineros de Zacatecas dropped to 1–2, with both losses coming on the road. The result also gives Soles an early head-to-head advantage in the regular-season series, a factor that could matter later in the standings race.

Next up, Soles de Mexicali will look to extend their winning streak when they host Halcones de Xalapa, while Mineros de Zacatecas return home to face Fuerza Regia in a key matchup for their early-season form.