Perfect start for Ferroviario da Beira in win over JBC
This is a perfect start for coach Lopez' charges who are hoping to make history as the first team to make a third consecutive BAL appearance through the qualification process.
JOHANNESBURG (South Africa) - Ferroviario da Beira got their 2024 East Division Elite 16 campaign with a comfortable 75-55 win over JBC on Tuesday at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Luis Lopez-coached side came from behind in the early stages of the match to assume lead in the dying minutes of the first quarter and dominate the remaining part for the win.
The first quarter saw the Zimbabweans, take a 11-7 lead in the opening 5 minutes with Noah Penduka and Nyang Wek doing most of the damage.
However, Beira turned the table in the second part of the quarter, as Jermel Kennedy's three point shot, his only of the period, brought the Mozambique champions to within a point at 17-16 as Ayad Munguambe gave Beira the lead from the free-throw line for 18-17.
Kenneti Mendes
The second quarter was an all-Beira show as they dominated in both ends of the court to run the scores for a 18-07 outcome that gave Lopez's men a 12-point advantage heading to the break.
On resumption, JBC cut their deficit to nine through Pfachi off the free throw line and a Wek jump shot but that was the closest they came to leveling matters.
The going got tougher for Addison Chiware's charges who found themselves trailing by 21 points at the conclusion of the third quarter after a 18-09 show.
Cape Verde international Kenneti Mendes was switched on in the third quarter, dropping 6 as Helton Ubisse who had 4 in the opening two quarters added 4 to the tally in the third period.
Helton Ubisse
JBC brought their first quarter energy to the final period but it was too little too late to change the trajectory of the match as, despite going 22-21 ahead, they lost the match by 20 point.
TURNING POINT: It took JBC more than three minutes to drop a point in the second quarter through youngster Tashinga Chiimba.
The drought, however, persisted for JBC, managing their next five points in the last three minutes of the game for a dismal 18-7 performance that gave Beira an advantage that carried them through the rest of the match.
Jermel Kennedy
HERO: Jermel Kennedy was the star for coach Lopez's side as he dominated the boards, pulling down a game-high 14 rebounds while dropping 11 points and 2 assists.
Kenneti Mendes, who did not have a good start to the match, scoring only 2 points in the first half, played a better second half, bagging 10 more points to emerge the side's top scorer.
STATS DON'T LIE: Ferroviario da Beira dominated the paint, scoring 40 against JBC's 30. They also made the best of their offensive rebounds scoring 22 second-chance points against the opponent's 15. JBC had 14 from fast breaks against 9 as Beira got 22 against 20 bench points.
BOTTOM LINE: This is a perfect start for coach Lopez' charges who are hoping to make history as the first team to make a third consecutive BAL appearance through the qualification process.
JBC
WHAT THEY SAID: "Being our first match, the slow start is not something we are worried about. We responded to their speed and their defense perfectly and that was the turning point. We also adjusted our play in the second half and penetrated more this giving our centre player Mendes the opportunity to score more and that worked in our favour," - Luis Alberto Lopez- Ferroviario da Beira head coach.
"We had a good start but lost concentration at the end of the first quarter. Our execution of zone defense and transition offensively were not good but we have picked lessons that we will take to the next game where concentration will be key." - Addison Chiware- JBC head coach.
FIBA