Instituto fend off late comeback by Real Estelí to win Quarter-Final opener

CORDOBA (Argentina) - Instituto moved a step closer to the first-ever Basketball Champions League Semi-Finals on Tuesday night with an 88-80 triumph over Real Estelí.

In the first game of the best-of-three Quarter-Final, Argentinian club Instituto led for virtually the entire contest. Raasean Davis poured in seven of his 14 points in the opening quarter as the hosts opened up an 18-12 advantage.

Nicaraguans Real Estelí, trailing 21-14, stormed back. Victor Liz triggered a 7-2 run with a three-point play, and an AJ Davis layup reduced the deficit to 23-21.

Instituto outscored Real Estelí 20-7 over the final 6:30 of the second quarter for a 43-28 advantage.

Less than five minutes into the third quarter and the lead ballooned to 59-37 after three-pointers from Martin Cuello and Nicolas Romanao.

Real Estelí continued to battle and gradually reduced the deficit, getting as close as 85-78 with 2:50 to play after a three-pointer by Dominican Republic international Liz. The visitors had three possessions to draw closer but failed to do so. Liz missed a layup, then turned the ball over before Jezreel De Jesus, who had a game-high 32 points, was off target with a jump shot.

Instituto, coached by Sebastian Ginobili, held on for the series opening victory.

Cuello led all Instituto scorers with 28 points and teammate Romano contributed 16 along with seven rebounds.

Liz had with 27 for Real Estelí, whose bench was outscored by Instituto, 34-2.

Real Estelí will attempt to pull level in the series when they host Game 2 on Saturday night.