BUENOS AIRES (Argentina) - Quimsa roared back from a big half-time deficit and then made key plays down the stretch to claim a 91-84 triumph at San Lorenzo on Monday in the opening game of their Basketball Champions League Americas Semi-Final showdown.

Quimsa trailed on Monday by 13 points at the break but outscored San Lorenzo, 31-17, over the next 10 minutes to set up a thrilling final quarter.

With the game hanging in the balance in the last few minutes, Quimsa were better. Nicolas Copello rebounded a missed three-pointer and scored with the put-back to put Quimsa in front, 82-80.

Then with the visitors on top, 83-82, and just 38 seconds from the end, San Lorenzo left Leo Mainoldi open in the left corner and he drilled a three-ball for a four-point Quimsa advantage.

The visitors then stole the ball from Nicolas Aguirre on San Lorenzo's next possession, drew a foul and added a free-throw.

Ismael Romero made all 10 of his shots from the floor and scored 20 points for Quimsa

A pair of Marcos Mata free-throws for San Lorenzo closed the gap to 87-84 with 15 seconds left, but the hosts fouled on the ensuing inbounds play and Quimsa's Mauro Cosolito sank both free-throws to all but seal victory.

Quimsa's Brandon Robinson misfired a lot but was the game's leading scorer with 25 points. He was eight of 21 (38.1 percent) overall and three of eight (37.5 percent) from behind the arc. Robinson was also just six of 11 (54.5 percent) at the free-throw line.

Quimsa's Ismael Romero finished as the game's highest rated player with a +25 efficiency after making all 10 of his shots from the field and scoring 20 points. He also had six rebounds.

A big part of Quimsa's comeback in the third quarter was their three-point shooting. They finished 10 of 25 from deep, with Cosolito four of eight.

Game Two in this best-of-three battle between Argentinian team will be played on Thursday night at the City Stadium in Santiago del Estero, the home of Quimsa.

FIBA