In its 25th NBB match, Flamengo beat Bauru 91-86 on Thursday night (04), at the Antônio Prado Jr. gymnasium. The red-black's top scorer in the game was Olivinha with 20 points. With the result, the Pride of the Nation is isolated in the championship lead.

The game
FlaBasquete's first three points of the first quarter came from Balbi. The game started off fairly evenly, with both teams trading points on offense. The red-and-black team showed they were focused on the game, stealing a few balls to quickly counterattack. Olivinha, Balbi, and Marquinhos were the standouts for Mengão in the quarter, which ended with a 23-22 lead.

In the second quarter, Balbi continued to play well and dictated the pace for the red-and-blacks. Léo Demétrio made a beautiful individual play, penetrated the paint, and scored two more points for FlaBasquete. Bauru responded and managed to turn the score around, opening a five-point lead. Rafael Mineiro scored his first points of the game with a three-pointer. Marquinhos also hit a three-pointer. Despite the red-and-blacks' late comeback, Bauru ended up winning 47-42.

FlaBasquete returned to the third quarter making some defensive and offensive mistakes. Bauru capitalized on this to open up a significant lead. Marquinhos, always accurate, shot a three-pointer and converted for the Rubro-Negro. Hettsheimeir made a beautiful play in the paint and, on a platter, scored two more, reducing the São Paulo team's lead to two points. In a thrilling final quarter, Bauru scored two points in the last second and took the lead again: 69-67.

In the final quarter, the match remained evenly matched, with the red-and-black team looking to turn the score around. Olivinha, in the dead zone, hit a three-pointer to tie the match. Marquinhos then passed through the middle of a two-pointer and converted two for Mengão to take the lead. Showing their ability to react at the right moment, FlaBasquete managed to stay ahead until the end and won the match 91-86.

Highlights:
Olivinha – 20 points;
Marquinhos – 19 points;
Hettsheimeir – 12 points and 6 rebounds;
Balbi – 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists;
Mineiro – 11 points and 6 rebounds.

And now?
The Pride of the Nation returns next Monday (08) to face Instituto Córdoba, at 17:40 pm, for the Champions League Americas.

Starting Quintet
Franco Balbi, Lucas Martinez, Marquinhos, Rafael Mineiro and Olivinha.


The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – BRB, TIM, Ambev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and State Incentive Law/State Secretariat of Sports, Leisure and Youth (Seelje) of Rio de Janeiro, in addition to support from the Brazilian Committee of Clubs (CBC).