ASUNCION (Paraguay) – Brazil improved to 2-0 in Group B of the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers after another decisive win against Paraguay to complete the sweep of their South American counterpart.

After a 65-point blowout win in the first meeting, Brazil followed that up with a 55-point win tonight, 108-53.

Elio Corazza swiped away 5 steals in the first quarter which tied the most steals in a game so far in the AmeriCup Qualifiers, as Brazil applied the pressure early and forced Paraguay into 8 turnovers.

Paraguay only trailed by 11 points in the second quarter before Brazil went on a huge 23-1 run to end the frame which stretched their lead out to 33 points at halftime and put the game out of reach.

Several players made key contributions for Brazil, as they had five players reach double figure scoring, headlined by Lucas Dias who recorded 11 of his team-high 20 points in the second quarter to go along with 3 steals and 2 rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 from three-point.

Corazza dished out 10 assists in addition to his 5 steals and 3 rebounds, while 21-year-old Daniel Ferreira made his Brazil national team debut and scored all 13 of his points in the final quarter on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting and 3-of-3 from behind the arc.

Brazil had wide margins in numerous stat categories including field goal percentage (55.4-31), made three-pointers (13-3), assists (25-12), rebounds (46-29), second chance points (22-8) and points from the bench (55-26).

Rodney Mercado (17 points off the bench) and Vincenzo Ochipinti (14 points) scored in double figures for Paraguay and combined for 31 of the team’s 53 points, also converting 11 of Paraguay’s 18 total made shots.

The two teams will return to action in the next window of games in November 2024 where Brazil will look to remain unbeaten in two home games against Uruguay and Panama, while Paraguay will attempt to grab their first win when they also host Panama and Uruguay.

FIBA