Following two away games in the NBB, FlaBasquete maintained its streak of good results and beat União Corinthians 75-69 on Friday night (5), at the Poliesportivo Arnão gymnasium. Scott Machado was the highlight for the red-black side with 16 points.

With this result, Orgulho da Nação secured its 11th consecutive victory and finished the first round as the leader of the national competition. Due to its improved campaign, the red-and-black team will have the advantage of playing all of its Super 8 Cup matches at home.

Highlights
Scott Machado – 16 points;
Devon Scott – 14 points;
Didi – 11 points.

1st Bedroom
FlaBasquete's first points of the match came from a Gui Deodato layup. The game started evenly, with União Corinthians taking the lead. The night's debutant, American Devon Scott, scored his first two points for the Manto Sagrado. Mengão's new signing showed his calling card with a strong start to the quarter. Filipovity was fouled in the paint and converted both free throws to put the Rubro-Negro ahead. Scott Machado then found Cuello open for a three-pointer. The Pride of the Nation closed the period leading 18-14.

2st Bedroom
In the second quarter, the red-and-black team held the lead, but the match remained fairly even. Franco Balbi, at a key moment, hit a three-pointer. However, União Corinthians responded in kind and even closed the gap. Kayo Gonçalves came out strong, hitting two three-pointers to help Mengão open up a lead again at the right time and go into halftime with an eight-point lead: 40-32.  

3st Bedroom
To start the third quarter off well, the Scotts made a beautiful play: Machado assisted Devon with a beautiful dunk. União Corinthians, in turn, was not letting up and once again reduced the red-and-black's lead. Wizard Franco Balbi attempted another shot from the perimeter, but it fell. The Argentine's second in two attempts. Halfway through the quarter, the Pride of the Nation opened up a lead again. Scott Machado was another strong performer, tipping the balance in favor of the Red-and-Blacks. In two individual plays, he hit two consecutive layups. With that, the Most Beloved extended the lead to ten points: 66-56.

4st Bedroom
In the final quarter, FlaBasquete maintained the same momentum and denied their opponents a chance to react. Gui Deodato stole a ball in the offensive paint and dunked it. Mengão opened up a 15-point lead, their largest of the game. To halt any potential União Corinthians comeback, Kayo Gonçalves hit his third three-pointer of the match. In the final period, Scott Machado launched a shot from the backcourt for Gabriel Jaú to dunk. Consistent from start to finish, the Pride of the Nation closed out the game 79-65 and ended the first half as NBB leader.  

Next challenge
The Pride of the Nation returns to the court next Monday (8) for the classic against Vasco, at 20 pm, at Maracanãzinho. The duel opens the return of the NBB.

Starting Quintet
Franco Balbi, Gui Deodato, Loku Cuello, Marko Filipovity and Devon Scott.
Coach: Gustavo De Conti.

Another victory for the leader in the South!

After beating Caxias, the #FlaBasquete scores another victory, over União Corinthians, remains in first place, and returns to Rio for the big game against Vasco, in the NBB! See you at Maracanãzinho?

? ️: https://t.co/mkJ7ehBLJd

?: Vinicius… pic.twitter.com/3s6ZnCNBLr

— Time Flamengo (@TimeFlamengo) January 6, 2024