In another great performance, Mengão beat Rio Claro 91-78 in NBB 12
Zach Graham was the top scorer for the red-black team with 14 points.
By Romulo Paranhos - inFlamengo entered the court on Tuesday night (10), at Arena Carioca 1, and beat the Rio Claro team by 91 to 78, in a game valid for the 12th round of NBB 12. Zach Graham was the red-black team's top scorer in the match with 14 points.
The game
Rio Claro started the match better, eventually opening up an eight-point lead. Gradually, Flamengo found its feet and managed to find its offensive plays, closing the gap. In the final three minutes of the period, Mengão played excellent defense and was precise in its attacks, finishing ahead 26-19.
At the start of the second period, the Pride of the Nation continued with the same rhythm they had finished the first half. Strong on defense, Flamengo managed to block Rio Claro's plays and quickly transitioned into attack, hitting three-pointers with Zach Graham and Marquinhos. Deryk, playing well, also excelled with his infiltration plays in the paint. Graham, with ten points, was the leading scorer of the match so far. The first half ended with Flamengo comfortably ahead, 53-40.
When the teams returned for the third quarter, Mengão continued to play better and managed to further widen the gap. Excellent at the free throw line and on three-pointers, Mengão took advantage to pull away. Rubro-Negro coach Gustavinho rotated the team and sent the youngsters onto the court, who maintained their level of play. Rubro-Negro finished the quarter ahead 82-59.
In the final quarter, Flamengo managed its lead well and gave Rio Claro no chance to mount a comeback. Zach Graham continued to lead the red-and-black team with 14 points. Franco Balbi excelled in assists, with ten. With a mixed team at the end, Mengão secured a 91-78 victory.
Next Monday (16), Flamengo returns to the court to face São José, at 20 pm, at the Tijuca Tênis Clube gym, for the NBB12. Before that, Mais Querido faces CD Valdivia on Friday (13), at 19 pm, at the Coliseo Antonio Azurmendi gym, for the basketball Champions League.
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – BRB, TIM, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and the State Incentive Law/Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Sports, Recreation, and Youth (Seelje), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources generated by the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.