SÃO JOSÉ DOS PINHAIS (Brazil) – The Brazilian national team accomplished their mission at home by defeating Uruguay, 83-72, at the Max Rossenmann Sport and Leisure Center in São José Dos Pinhais. It's their first victory in Group B of the FIBA AmeriCup 2021 Qualifiers.

The local five featured a balanced attack, where two players contributed 15 points: Leonardo Demetrio (four three-pointers) and Jhonatan Dos Santos (nine rebounds), while two players more, Lucas Dias and Rafael Mineiro (11 rebounds) added 13 points each.

The Amazonians were able to impose their physical presence to dominate the inside game and covered the court effectively, keeping their opponents in line.

Brazil controlled the rebounds, 45 against Uruguay’s 25, as well as the fast break points 26-7, and the points in the paint, 32-18.

Uruguay battled in the first half (38-37), mainly thanks to its high efficiency in three-pointers. In the first 20 points, they shot 16-9 from this area, but in the third quarter, the locals started to pull the game in their favor with an improved defense that allowed them to set a 28-18 quarter, entering the final period 66-55 in the upside.

Bruno Fitipaldo brought the Uruguayans closer once the fourth quarter began with six consecutive points. However, the men coached by Aleksandar Petrović jumped back and with a three-pointer by Demetrio and then a mid-court steal and a dunk by Rafael Luz with 1:07 minutes left, the game was set in their favor, taking the lead, 81-71.

For Uruguay, Fitipaldo led the attack with 19 points, followed by also point guard Luciano Parodi, with 18. Parodi scored the first 16 points of his team in the game during the first quarter, but in the following 30 minutes, he could only contribute two.

On Monday the 24th, the teams will face each other once again, this time at Montevideo's Antel Arena, at 9:00 PM (local game time).

 FIBA