CORDOBA (Argentina) - After trailing by 11 points at halftime, Minas (2-3) dominated the second half to take down Instituto (1-3) 88-80 in a Group D duel to kick off the final window of BCLAmericas play.

Luciano Parodi (21 points) led five players who scored in double figures for Minas, including David Nesbitt (14 points) and Shaquille Kamel A. Johnson (14 points off the bench), but his best contributions came in other areas that ultimately decided the game.

While Parodi helped guide the second half comeback with his ability to put the ball in the hoop, he also showed off his playmaking (seven total assists) and his defensive abilities (four steals).

That in turn helped Minas record assists on half of their made field goals and allowed the Brazilian squad to rack up 20 (!) more points in transition than their opponent. Their ability to speed up Instituto, create live ball turnovers and turn those mishaps into easy baskets was the true difference in the game as Minas finished with 25 total points off turnovers.

Minas' speed, athleticism and energy gave them a spark in the final 20 minutes, as they held Instituto to just 28 total points.

Instituto wasted two marvelous performances from Santiago Scala – who scored 25 on a highly efficient 50% shooting – and Martin Cuello – who dropped 18 of his own. They did get promising performances in the rebounding department from Venezuela's Nestor Colmenares and Ronald Eugene Jackson Jr., but their inability to take care of the ball as a group and lacking transition defense proved to be a major game changer.

Minas will end their BCL Americas group play schedule with a critical battle vs. Flamengo, who is currently undefeated and was a finalist last season. Meanwhile, Instituto has two more games to finish as they will face grueling tests vs. Flamengo.

FIBA