FIBA AMERICAS LEAGUE – Halcones Rojos, Capitanes win Group D thrillers

ARECIBO (FIBA Americas League) - Close contests were the order of the day as Group D action got underway in the FIBA Americas League.

In the games played in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Mexican outfit Halcones Rojos de Veracruz edged Argentinians Juventud Sionista in overtime, 92-88, and hosts Capitanes overcame Venezuela's Cocodrilos de Caracas, 84-79.

In the first clash, Sionista's Juan Manuel Locatelli knotted the score at 80-80 with just under nine seconds to go in regulation and then Carlos Rivera was off target with a potential game-winner for Halcones.

In the extra period, the Mexican outfit got their noses in front and prevailed with Lawrence Hill's 21 points leading the way.

Locatelli finished with 28 points for Sionista, who out-rebounded their opponents 48-38 but hurt their own cause by sinking just 20 of 35 (57%) of their free-throws and also turning the ball over 20 times.

Panama international Jaime Lloreda had a game-high four steals to go with his 15 points for Halcones.

In the nightcap, Capitanes overturned 46-36 deficit at half-time to win by five.

The Puerto Ricans changed tactics in the second half and went to a two-three zone to frustrate Cocodrilos.

Puerto Rico international Larry Ayuso had 22 points and Danilo Pinnock 21 for the winners, while Tayron Thomas finished with 20 in defeat.

The action resumes on Wednesday evening with Halcones going up against Cocodrilos and Sionista squaring off against Capitanes.

FIBA