Liga SudAmericana title for Bauru

Bauru claimed a triumphant victory in the final of the Liga SudAmericana over Brazilian rival Mogi das Cruzes, cruising to a 79-53 win. It was the second time Bauru had defeated Mogi this month as the teams also clashed in the group phase of the Second Stage. The victory brought the club its first ever Liga SudAmericana title and also sent the team through to the 2015 Liga Americas.

In the third/fourth game clash Boca Juniors downed Argentine compatriots Malvin 76-75 in a close encounter.

Bauru vs. Mogi das Cruzes, 79-53
As the score line suggests, the game was never in doubt for Bauru as they didn’t lose a period through the clash and looked in control throughout. A strong defensive performance saw the winners pull 34 rebounds off the defensive glass, stopping Mogi from claiming second chance opportunities. In total Bauru had 45 boards, while the visitors only managed 32.

The hosts opened proceedings in the paint but the early minutes proved dry at the bucket as both teams struggled to find net. Eventually Bauru opened up, but Mogi das Cruzes continued to struggle, eventually the hosts opened a significant 25-11 lead after 10 minutes. Mogi continued to find it hard to hit scores in the second quarter and once again only sent home 11 points through the period. The champs kept momentum with a 20 point haul to carve a massive 45-22 halftime lead. Mogi picked up scoring in the third stanza with 18 points, but the hosts were in control of the game and reeled off another 21 points to extend its lead to 66-40 through thirty minutes. With the contest already in the bag the fourth quarter was an anti-climax as the teams locked 13-13 down the stretch.

Rafael Hettsheimer paced the scoring for Bauru with 18 points, while Robert Day added 13 points and Alex Ribeiro offered 12. Jefferson Andrade put in a big contribution with an 11 points and 13 rebounds double-double.

Only two players added double figures in the losing effort, Tyrone Curnell and Thomas Gehrke grabbing 11 points apiece.

Boca Juniors vs. Malvin, 76-75
The third/fourth game was decided by one point as Argentine clubs Boca and Malvin played out a mini classic. Malvin had the best of the early exchanges and paced to a 14-16 lead at the first split. Boca found its touch in the second stanza to blitz their opposition to the tune of a 24-14 run, enough for a 38-30 lead at the long break. In the third act Malvin halved the deficit by winning the period 18-22 (56-52), but Boca Juniors held off the late rally in Q4 to claim a last second win, courtesy of a hit from beyond the arc.