MEX/ARG/CRC - Halcones final four bound despite brave effort by Soles

XALAPA (FIBA Americas  League) - Halcones Xalapa hosted Group D of the FIBA Americas League and on Thursday night accomplished their mission of reaching the Final Four.

In an all-Mexican showdown against Soles de Mexicali, a team that competed in the inaugural Final Four last year and reached the title game before falling to Penarol, Halcones prevailed 86-78.

Halcones will join Brazilian outfits Universo/BRB and Minas Tenis Clube and Uruguayans Bigua in the final round to be played from February 6-8. The host of that event has yet to be determined.

Both Halcones and Soles entered the winner-take-all game at 2-0 after their respective victories over Quimsa of Argentina and Liceo of Costa Rica.

Despite having blown out their first two opponents, Halcones had to hold on for dear life against Soles, a team they face on a regular basis in Mexico's LNBP.

Halcones went in front by as many as 15 points in the third quarter but weren't able to put Soles away.

Ivan Deniz's team maintained their poise and chipped away at the Halcones advantage.

With less than four seconds remaining, Anthony Lever-Pedroza's two free throws cut the Halcones lead to 59-56 and the same player buried a three-pointer early in the fourth to knot the contest at 59-59.

Halcones, due in large part to the offensive performances of Gustavo Ayon, Leroy Hickerson and Dontae Truitt, kept their noses in front and though they struggled all night from the free throw line, the hosts made just enough down the stretch to seal the triumph.

Victory was sweet for Halcones, who lost to Soles last year when they were on their way to the last four.

Halcones will consider themselves fortunate to be advancing because t266hey sank only 21 of 38 (55%) of their free throws.

Ayon, who had a game-high 27 points, was the worst offender at the stripe. He made just five of 14 (36%).

Abdul Mills poured in 20 points and handed out five assists for the winners.

Lever-Pedroza finished with 25 points for Soles while Horacio Llamas contributed 14 with seven rebounds. Greg Lewis was also influential for the losing side with 14 points and seven boards.

In a battle for pride and third place in Group D, Quimsa defeated COOPENAE Liceo de Costa Rica 96-85.

Gabriel Mikulas and Julio Eduardo Mazzaro each scored 25 points for Quimsa.

FIBA