Minas' strong offense bounces back with victory over Instituto

RÍO DE JANEIRO (Brazil) - Minas Tenis Clube recovered from their loss on Wednesday and with a succesful offense easily defeated Instituto de Córdoba 100-85, in a Group D match of the Basketball Champions League Americas at Maracanazinho Stadium.

The Belo Horizonte team made it clear why they are the leader of Brazil's NBB with only one loss in 18 games and also sent a message that they must be taken into account among the candidates for the title in this second edition of the BCL Americas.

Experienced David Jackson broke out with 24 points, 4-6 from the three-point line to lead an unbeatable offense that had up to six players in double digits in scoring. Uruguayan point guard Luciano Parodi followed with 15, while David Nesbitt added 13 with eight rebounds.

Minas started slowly, with a 15-6 run in the first five minutes, but after making adjustments they began to flow in attack. Leo Costa's team went 13-24 from three, and shot 56 percent from the field.

Institute could not keep up in the second half despite them shooting 52 percent from the field. Minas dominated the third quarter with a 27-13 run that allowed them to increase the lead to 77-64.

The Argentine team had 15 turnovers and Minas capitalized by scoring 28 points. Free throws are another aspect to improve for Sebastián “Sepo” Ginobili's squad. They shot 28-18 from the penalty line.

Santiago Scala led Instituto with 15 points and Venezuelan Néstor Colmenares and Ronald Jackson, finished with 14 each. The last nail in the coffin was put by Nesbitt with a three-pointer that put the score at 98-80, with 1:51 to go.

This Friday, Instituto faces Flamengo, who dominated Minas in their first meet.

FIBA