MIAMI (United States) – Minas Tênis Clube (BRA) picked up two wins on Uruguayan soil to finish atop Group C in the opening stage of this season’s Basketball Champions League Americas. SESI Franca (BRA) rebounded from the previous day’s loss and edged UdeC in Group D.
Here are the highlights from Friday’s action in the BCL Americas:
UdeC 79 – 85 SESI Franca
For the second straight game, Franca (1–1) found itself in a tight finish, but this time it held on to defeat host UdeC (0–2) at the Casa del Deporte Gymnasium in Concepción, Chile.
Two free throws by Lucas Dias with 16 seconds left gave Franca a five-point cushion (84–79) and sealed the win. Before Dias stepped to the line, UdeC had a chance to cut the deficit to one, but strong defense by Rafael Mineiro denied Isaac Hamilton a fast-break layup.
Dias led the Brazilian side with 20 points (four three-pointers) and 7 rebounds. Franca shot 48 percent from the field and knocked down 13 shots from beyond the arc. David Jackson (13), Georginho De Paula (11 points, 9 assists), Paulo Barbosa (11), and Cristiano Felício (10 points, 8 rebounds) also scored in double figures.
For UdeC, imports Stephen Maxwell (22 points, 11 rebounds) and Hamilton (19 points, 9 boards, 5 assists) carried the offensive load. Diego Low, Kevin Rubio, and Jerry Evans Jr. followed with 13, 11, and 10 points, respectively. Point guard Eugenio Bocaz scored just 4 points but grabbed 9 rebounds and handed out 6 assists. He also committed 6 turnovers, which is the second-highest total in BCL Americas history.
With the win, Franca finished second in Group D behind Instituto (2–0) at the close of the opening stage. The Brazilian club has now won seven straight games against UdeC in BCL Americas play, while the Chilean side extended its losing streak in the competition to 11 games.
Aguada 74 – 77 Minas Tenis Clube
At Estadio 8 de Junio in Paysandú, Uruguay, Minas (2–0) escaped with another Group C victory by edging host Aguada (0–2) in a tightly contested game from start to finish.
Holding a three-point lead with just over five seconds remaining, Juan Pablo Arengo missed two free throws that would have sealed the game. This gave Aguada one final possession. However, Donald Sims’ long attempt from near midcourt fell short, allowing Minas to celebrate its second straight win.
Juan Santiso had tied the game at 73 for Aguada with a corner three-pointer with 1:34 left, but the Brazilian team answered with a basket by Wini Braga, followed by two free throws (one by Braga and one by Jordan Williams) to pull ahead 77–73 with 20 seconds on the clock.
Erik McCree sparked Minas’ offense with 19 points and 7 rebounds, while Williams added 15 points.
With the win, the Belo Horizonte-based club improved to eight wins in 10 BCL Americas games against Uruguayan teams.
Aguada leaned on Earl Clark (14 points), Joaquín Rodríguez (12), Santiso (11), and Sims (10). Despite allowing just 77 points, its lowest total in BCL Americas play, it was not enough.
Group C will resume in mid-January 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with Boca Juniors serving as host. Group D will be back in action on the same dates in Franca, Brazil.
Group B tips off this Saturday, December 13. Check the full schedule here.
FIBA