Sesi Franca pull away from Quimsa, set up Finals date with Flamengo

FRANCA (Brazil) - The championship of the Basketball Champions League Americas Season 4 is set after hosts Sesi Franca took down Quimsa 91-73. This will be their first-ever BCLA Final.

Sesi Franca remain undefeated this season with a 9-0 record and will square off against fellow Brazilian club Flamengo for the right to be crowned champions and also clinch a spot at the next FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

This was Sesi Franca's first win in three head-to-head meetings against Quimsa in the BCLA after they lost the first two games in group play back in the tournament's inaugural season in 2019-20.

After tip-off was delayed, the first quarter finally got underway, and the two teams used that quarter to feel each other out, as it was all tied at 20. The scoring slowed down with the two teams combining to score 27 points in the second quarter.

Sesi Franca held the seven-point lead, their biggest of the game so far, heading into the second half after scoring the last 6 points of the half.

Lucas Mariano of Sesi Franca was the only player in double figures and led all scorers at the half with 14 points.

Scoring by both teams picked up as there were 52 points scored in the third quarter. Sesi Franca now had three players in double figures and held a slim five-point lead with only 10 minutes to play.

Sesi Franca flipped the switch and outscored Quimsa 29-16 to pull away for an 18-point victory in front of their home fans. Lucas Dias scored 8 of his 16 points in the final frame and knocked down key back-to-back three-pointers to extend Sesi Franca's lead to 74-61 and they never looked back.

Dias stuffed the stat sheet for Sesi Franca with a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double as well as 4 assists and 4 steals.

Four other players scored at least 11 points for Sesi Franca including Mariano (season-high 22 points, 8 rebounds, 8-of-20 FG), Georginho De Paula (14 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 5-of-12 FG), David Jackson (13 points, 2 rebounds, 4-of-10 FG) and Michael Smith (11 points, 4-of-7 FG).

Brandon Robinson was a bright spot in defeat for Quimsa, finishing with a game-high 24 points along with 4 rebounds and 2 assists. He also made four of the team's eight total threes. Juan Brussino chipped in 13 points and was the only other player to score double figures for Quimsa.

Sesi Franca held a big advantage in both total rebounds (49-31) and offensive rebounds (24-4). Their 24 offensive rebounds were the most by a team in a single game this season. All of those extra opportunities for the home team led to 16 second chance points.

The hosts also scored 22 points off turnovers and outscored Quimsa by 12 points from beyond the arc.

FIBA