ARG - Libertad set pace in Liga Nacional

SUNCHALES (Liga Nacional) - Deportivo Libertad posted a 91-69 victory over Belgrano San Nicolas on Sunday to maintain their unbeaten start to the Liga Nacional's Northern Zone in Argentina.

Belgrano maintained pace with the hosts and trailed by just a point at the break at 40-39, but Libertad used a 26-20 third session and a 25-10 surge in the last quarter to seal victory to remain the only unbeaten team in the northern zone after two games.

Joshua Pittman scored 19 points and Robert Battle added 11 and 12 rebounds, while Marcus Flemming provided the resistence for Belgrano, who suffered their second defeat is an many games.

Central Entrerriano beat Ben Hur 76-69, Juventud Sionista edged out Atenas 77-75 and Regatas Corrientes defeated QUIMSA 89-82 to record their first wins of the season after suffering defeats in the opening round on Friday.

Central Entrerriano dominated their meeting with Ben Hur and led 57-46 heading into the final quarter before the home side fought back with a 23-19 final session.

Michael Robinson scored 17 points to lead Sionista over Atenas, who slipped slowly behind in the contest and trailed 63-49 heading into the final quarter before setting up a tense finish with a 26-14 final session advantage.

Erron Maxey top-scored with 21 points for Atenas, while Diego Osella chipped in with 14 and 11 rebounds.

Diego Cavaco poured in 23 points, which included six-of-eight from the arc, as Regatas edged out QUISMA despite a 27-24 final session deficit.

In the southern zone, last years runners-up Penarol hammered Independiente Neuquen 85-68, while Obras Sanitarias defeated Estudiantes Bahia Blanca 89-86 and Quilmes edged out Gimnasia y Esgrima Comodoro Rivadavia 75-72 as the trio maintained their 100% start to their campaigns.

Independiente opened up a 22-16 lead after the first quarter before Penarol responded to take a 40-38 lead at the interval.

Penarol continued the trend in the third session with a 22-13 advantage before sealing victory with a storming 25-15 final quarter bulge.

Roman Gonzalez poured in 27 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Penerol, while Byron Johnson paced Independiente with 22 points and nine rebounds.

Lazaro Borrell contributed 31 points to inspire Obras to victory over Estudiantes as a 28-23 session proved crucial after a tight contest.

Matias Greco
FIBA