Obras uses fourth quarter momentum to win, qualifies for Quarterfinals

BUENOS AIRES (Argentina) – Even after a strong third quarter from UdeC, Obras surged in the fourth quarter to secure a 79-65 victory in Group D action of Basketball Champions League Americas at Estadio Obras Sanitarias on Friday night.

With the win, Obras has qualified for the Quarter-Finals of Basketball Champions League Americas.

Starting off strong with an 11-point lead, with Franco Smaniotti leading the charge while Juan Respaud closed out the quarter both playing and scoring for Obras.

Sebastian Carrasco and Marquez Letcher led UdeC as they outscored Obras 19-11 in the quarter and cut the deficit to 3 points, 37-34 at the half.

Both teams struggled to find the basket in the third quarter as they had the second, as the two both had size in the paint to be physical while also forcing long range shots with both teams shooting less than 25 percent from the three-point line.

But the Obras bench pushed to contribute into the third quarter, with Smaniotti contributing double-digit points while Juan Venegas, Hugues Andela and Respaud all contributing 7 points each.

Letcher tallied 15 points through three quarters for UdeC while Daniel Prinsloo added another 9, and the game remained a 3-point affair heading into the final 10 minutes with Obras leading 48-45.

Obras however wanted to secure their spot in the next round, and had their best quarter yet as they tipped in 31 points despite the strongest showing from UdeC as they added 20.

Jeffrey Solarin led Obras in the final 10 minutes as they pushed away from UdeC, shooting 53 percent as a team including over 40 percent from the three point line with Alejo Digon adding 12 fourth quarter points.

Obras kept on the offensive boards for second chance points to try and cut into the lead, but could not keep up in the final 4 minutes as Obras extended the lead to 14 points to close out.

Digon led all scorers with 16 points while Solarin added 14 points and 8 rebounds for Obras.

Letcher and Carrasco both added 15 points for UdeC with Carrasco adding 6 rebounds and 6 assists in the loss.

FIBA