VEN/BRA/PUR/MEX – Espartanos, Flamengo clinch FIBA Americas League wins

ISLA MARGARITA (FIBA Americas League) - Espartanos de Margarita and a Marelinho-less Flamengo won their opening day clashes in Group B action of the FIBA Americas League.

Venezuela Espartanos edged Halcones Rojos 109-105 in double overtime on Monday while Helio Da Costa Lima had a game-high 23 points and Jefferson Andrade Da Silva 18 in Flamengo’s 81-66 triumph over Capitanes de Arecibo.

In the second game, Ricky Sanchez, who scored 20 points for Halcones, buried a three-pointer right before the buzzer to force the first overtime.

Espartanos led by five in overtime, only for Halcones to come back and force a second extra period on Arim Solares' three-point play.

Cordell Henry then hit the game-winning shots - two three-balls in the final minute - for Espartanos.

Hector Romero Rivas poured in a game-high 29 points for Espartanos.

Carlos Rivera Ruiz also had 28 points for Halcones, who take on Flamengo on Tuesday.

Flamengo lost their Brazil international scoring machine Marcelinho for two weeks to a broken hand during a practice for Group B action but they won without him against Puerto Rican outfit Capitanes de Arecibo.

Capitanes opened up a 37-33 lead at the break but Flamengo outscored them 26-16 in the third quarter and then pressed home the advantage in the fourth for the 15-point victory.

FIBA