SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO (Argentina) – On the opening night of the 2024-25 season of Basketball Champions League Americas, Biguá pulled out a massive road upset, defeating defending champions Quimsa 72-70 at Estadio Ciudad in Santiago del Estero. The Uruguayan squad led the whole second half but had to dig deep down the stretch to hold on to a huge victory in Group C.
Turning point
The back half of the 4th quarter was a true rollercoaster, with Quimsa cutting a double-digit deficit to just a deuce with 5:50 left in regulation. Then, after Biguá extended the lead to 11 points, the Argentinians roared back to within 2 points at 68-70. Agustín Pérez had a chance to tie it with 48 second left but missed a jumper. Pérez once again got them within a double with 39 seconds to go and had a chance to win it at the buzzer – but couldn’t find the bottom of the net on a three-pointer from above the break.
Player of the game
Matías Espinoza led the winning effort with 16 points, going 3-for-5 from the field and 8-for-8 at the free throw line. He added 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal for a team-high 16 efficiency.
He was one of four Biguá players in double digits alongside Maique Tavares (16 points and 5 rebounds), Andre Spight (13 points and 8 dimes) and Juan Ducasse (12 points on 2-for-4 from beyond the arc). Tavario Miller (12 points and 15 rebounds) had a massive double-double for Quimsa. Pérez added 19 points but on 7-for-18 from the field, while Nicolás Romano (14 points and 9 rebounds) and Patricio Tabarez (11 points) also scored in double digits.
Stats don’t lie
Biguá held Quimsa to 31.1 percent from the field and the defending champions missed 12 of their 27 free throw attempts. The Uruguayans also had small but significant edges in paint points (30-22) and points off turnovers (14-6) that helped tip the scale in such a close contest despite committing twice as many turnovers (16-8).
Bottom line
Group C could arguably be this year’s “Group of Death,” so every victory carries extra significance. For Biguá, the on-paper underdogs, a win on the road against such a storied club is worth its weight in gold. For Quimsa, the loss is certainly a reason for concern, but the way they played in the fourth quarter and their overall championship pedigree are encouraging signs.
FIBA