MANAGUA (Nicaragua) – Quimsa reminded everyone why they’re one of the most dangerous teams in the continent, going on the road and dismantling Real Estelí, 98-68, Wednesday night at Polideportivo Alexis Argüello.

The Argentinian club, who won the first edition of Basketball Champions League Americas back in 2020, had an explosive second half to take control of the series.

Turning point: After a back-and-forth first half that included as many as 10 lead changes, Quimsa went to the locker room up 42-39.

What happened upon their return was nothing short of complete domination. While leading 52-46 early in the third quarter, they uncorked a 33-14 run that blew the game wide open.

They ended up extending their lead to 30 points right before the final buzzer.

Player of the Game: As cliched as it sounds, the whole team deserved the distinction of player of the game. Quimsa had 6 different players scoring in double digits, highlighted by Eduardo Vasirani, who had a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double off the bench with 2 steals and a block.

Sebastián Acevedo contributed a team-high 15 points and 6 rebounds, while Brandon Robinson and Fabián Ramírez also added 14 points apiece. Tayavek Gallizzi (12 points) and Federico Zezular (10) were the others in double figures, as Quimsa finished with 9 different players scoring at least 2 baskets.

Emmitt Williams (17 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals), Ismael Romero (16 points on 7/8 from the field) and Josué Erazo (12 points) were Real Estelí’s best performers.

Stats don’t lie: Quimsa shot a torrid 55.7 percent from the field, assisting on 26 of 39 made baskets. Their bench outscored the Nicaraguans’ by 46-18.

Part of that was a 58-36 demolition in the paint despite a fairly even battle of the boards.

The defense was also on point, as they held Real Estelí to just 35.7 percent from the field, though that was surely aided by their 4/25 night from beyond the arc.

Bottom line: Quimsa’s emphatic victory puts in them in a great position to advance to BCL Americas Final 4 for the fourth time in club history.

They’ll host Game 2 on Sunday in Santiago del Estero, where Real Estelí will be looking to force a Game 3, scheduled for Monday if necessary.

FIBA