Nacional pulls away in fourth quarter for win

SÃO PAULO (Brazil) - After a back and forth fourth quarter, Nacional pulled away from Quimsa for a 78-72 win in Group B action at Ginásio Pol. Dr. Antonio Leme Nunes Galvão on Sunday night.

Quimsa led by three early, with Fabian Ramirez and Juan Brussino combing for 14 of their 23 points.

Gaston Semiglia started off strong once again with 7 points for Nacional, with the team dominating in the paint as they also controlled the boards.

The second quarter was another close back and forth, but Quimsa managed to distance themselves to a five-point gap despite Alejandro Acosta and Demian Alvarez adding 7 points each by the half for Nacional.

Sebastian Ottonello controlled the boards for Nacional with 6 rebounds at the half including 5 defensive rebounds.

Eduardo Vasirani added 7 points at the half for Quimsa, who managed to bank off of turnovers and find their size in the paint to lead 43-38.

Nacional closer the gap to just two points after the third quarter as Eric Anderson added to the scoring while Tayavek Gallizzi and Fortunato Rolfi combated from Quimsa's side.

Dead even in bench points, points in the paint and second chance points, the two evenly matched teams were in for a battle going into the final quarter.

In a game with 15 lead changes, the final minute of the game was no different with the teams trading one-point leads, Eric Anderson hit four free throws to seal the win going from a two-point lead to a six-point lead to seal victory.

Semiglia led Nacional with 18 points including 12 from the foul line, while Acosta added another 17 points and Anderson added a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Ramirez, Brussino and Rolfi all tallied 11 points each for Quimsa in the loss.

FIBA