ARG - Penarol inflict first defeat on derby rivals

MAR DEL PLATA (Liga Nacional) - Penarol handed Quilmes a first defeat of their Argentinian Liga Nacional campaign after taking the honours in the Mar del Plata derby with a 97-67 triumph on Sunday.

Argentina international centre Roman Gonzalez top-scored with 20 points for Sergio Hernandez's side, who have also only suffered one defeat in four games this season.

Table-topping defending champions Boca Juniors, who beat Penarol on Friday, remain the only unbeaten team in the Southern Zone after recording a 89-75 victory over Obras in Buenos Aires.

Penarol stormed into a 27-18 first quarter advantage before taking the same nine point bulge into half-time following a 22-22 second session.

Quilmes' chances of maintaining their 100% start were virtually ended as Penarol posted a 28-11 third quarter before sealing victory with a 20-16 final period.

Antonio Reynolds Dean paced Quilmes with 18 points and six rebounds, while Marcos Mata contributed seven points and six rebounds for Penarol.

In Buenos Aires, Leonardo Gutierrez scored 17 points as Boca recovered from a 28-21 first quarter deficit to lead 45-43 at the break before forging further ahead with a 24-12 third session.

Boca posted a 22-18 final quarter to seal victory as Obras wasted 16 points from Gabriel Cocah and a 12 point 11 rebounds contribution from Lazaro Borrell.

Byron Johnson scored 28 points and pulled down nine rebounds as Independiente Neuquen claimed their first victory of the season after posting a 93-79 triumph over winless Gimnasia y Esgrima Comodoro Rivadavia.

Zachary Ingles scored 26 points for Gimnasia, who led 35-34 at the break before Independiente used a 26-17 third session to extend their lead and a 33-27 final quarter bulge to seal the comeback win.

Elsewhere in the Southern Zone, El Nacional beat local rivals Estudiantes Bahia Blanca 86-78 to pick up a second win of the season.

In the Northern Zone, Central Entererriano and Libertad joined Regatas at the top of the table after recording their third wins of the season.

Juan Cangelosi scored 29 points as Central posted a 99-93 victory over Quimsa, who received a 25 point and 12 rebound contribution from William McFarlan.

Central opened up a 28-20 first quarter lead, but Quimsa responded with a 22-17 second session to trail by just three points at the break.

But after Quimsa fell six points behind heading into the final quarter, Central held on to claim victory with a 31-31 final quarter.

Libertad used a 26-10 final session to break open a tight contest to sink Juventud Sionista 69-56 courtesy of 22 points from Joshua Pittman.

Finally, Belgrano San Nicolas picked up a first win of the season with a 90-88 victory over Atenas, who wasted 37 points from Erron Maxey.

By Matias Greco
FIBA