Flamengo started BCL Americas season with dominance over Minas

RÍO DE JANEIRO (Brazil) – Flamengo started their 2021 season in the Basketball Champions League Americas in a positive way, as they defeated Minas Tenis Clube 79-69, in the first Group C game held at Maracanazinho Stadium.

The local team established dominance with perimeter and transition offense to win against their rival in the NBB league of Brazil.

Marquinhos Souza led Flamengo's attack with 16 points, including 4-6 from the three-point line. Veteran Carlos Olivinha followed with 12 points, and Argentine point guard Franco Balbi, who served as the catalyst of the offense had 11 points, nine assists and six rebounds.

Within the first five minutes Flamengo started with a 15-4 run, with four triples. That energy set the tone for the rest of the game. Flamengo was up 36-22 in the second, keeping the same game plan of perimeter offense and the occasional run. In the first two quarters Flamengo made seven non-contested three-pointers.

With Rafael Hettsheimeir's dominance Flamengo stretched the lead to 62-43. It seemed that Minas would collapse, however, Shaquille Johnson's three-pointers kept them in play. Johnson finished with 25 points, 23 of them in the second half, with six from long range.

With 1:45 minutes remaining on the clock, Minas had one last push to place the scoreboard 74-65, however, Luciano "Chuzito" González responded with a three-pointer 30 seconds later to seal Flamengo's win.

This Thursday the fight to the top of Group D will continue in Minas and Instituto de Córdoba.

FIBA