Kalinsoski leads a dominant Malaga against Badalone to finish top of Group K
Malaga accomplished its mission by defeating Joventut Badalone 86-74 in the sixth game of the Round of 16 of the Basketball Champions League (BCL). This victory allowed the Andalusians to finish at the top of Group K, edging out their opponents thanks to a better head-to-head point differential.
Tyler Kalinoski leads Malaga’s offense to first place
Former Chalon player Tyler Kalinoskiplayed a key role in Malaga’s performance, finishing with 17 points and providing both scoring and experience in crucial moments. He was well supported by Killian Tillie, who delivered an efficient outing with 15 points on 4-of-6 shooting, along with 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 21 minutes. Augustine Rubit also made his presence felt inside with 14 points, giving Unicaja a balanced offensive production throughout the game.
On the other side, Joventut could once again rely on Jabari Parker, who stood out as the team’s main offensive threat with 21 points. The former NBA forward continued his strong run of form, consistently creating scoring opportunities. He was backed by Ludde Hakanson and Simon Birgander, who each contributed 10 points, helping keep the Spanish side within reach for most of the contest.
Heading into this matchup, both teams had already secured their qualification for the next round of the competition, which slightly shifted the stakes. Rather than fighting for survival, the focus was on final positioning within the group — a key factor with home-court advantage on the line for the quarterfinals.
Unicaja entered the game knowing exactly what was required: a victory by more than five points to secure first place. That objective added an extra layer of intensity, with Malaga not only aiming to win but to control the margin, managing the game strategically down the stretch to ensure they met the necessary differential.
A decisive fourth quarter in Malaga
The decision was made in the final ten minutes of play, won 24-14 by Malaga. This late dominance allowed Malaga’s players to reach their goal and secure first place in Group K.
Both teams finished with an identical record of 4 wins and 2 losses, but Malaga took the advantage thanks to a better head-to-head point differential against Joventut. This first place could prove valuable for the Andalusians’ continued European journey, as they will avoid some of the top contenders in the next round, on the road to the BCL Final Four… in Badalone.
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