MEX – Resilient Xalapa fight back to beat Soles in Game 1 of Mexican final

XALAPA (LNBP) – Halcones UV Xalapa drew first blood in their Mexican LNBP Finals showdown with Soles de Mexicali on Monday.

Mike Johnson scored 24 points, Dontae Truitt 23 and Gustavo Ayon 18 as Xalapa won Game 1 at home, 104-97.

The contest between sides that competed in this year’s FIBA Americas League was knotted at 89-89 with less than six minutes remaining when Truitt’s three-point play put the home team in front for good.

Abdul Mills followed with another bucket to extend the advantage to 94-89 with 5:32 to go.

Arturo Vasquez scored for Soles to reduce the deficit to three, only for Victor Mariscal to drill one of his four three-balls with 4:14 left for a 97-91 Xalapa advantage.

The lead grew to 101-91 after another Truitt basket and two Ray Castillo free throws just 2:35 from the end.

Soles got no closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Soles fall despite terrific start

The Mexicali outfit could not have asked for a better start to the game.

Dejuan Wheat’s three-pointer gave them a 27-12 lead with 3:23 to go in the first quarter, only for Xalapa, the beaten finalists in this year’s FIBA Americas League, to come charging back and pull level in the second frame.

A Hector Hernandez three-pointer nine seconds before the break, however, allowed Soles to take a 65-60 lead at half-time.

Soles went back in front by eight after play resumed, yet Xalapa, spurred on by their fans, clawed their way back and went in front for the first time when Johnson sank a three-pointer to make it 75-74 with 4:03 to play in the third quarter.

The clash was tight until Xalapa’s Mariscal, who like Ayon is a Mexico international, nailed a three with 4:14 left to make it 97-91.

That trey started the 7-0 run that left the hosts on top at 101-91 with 2:35 to play.

They stayed in command for the remainder of the contest.

Greg Lewis led a balanced Soles scoring attack with 20 points.

Game 2 in Xalapa will be played on Tuesday night.

FIBA