In the 27th round of the New Basketball Brazil (NBB), FlaBasquete beat Rio Claro 99-79 on Monday night (7), at the Felipe Karam gymnasium, in Rio Claro-SP. The red-black highlights in the match were Americans Brandon Robinson and Dar Tucker, with 18 and 14 points, respectively.

The game
The Pride of the Nation started the match with a bang! In the opening possession, Yago found Luke Martinez and Mineiro for a three-pointer. Dar Tucker then proved his return, hitting two consecutive three-pointers. Flamengo took a 12-2 lead with a 100% shooting percentage, forcing a timeout.

Rio Claro rallied after the break and took the lead with an 11-point streak. It was coach Gustavo de Conti's turn to stop the game and organize the team. With Dar Tucker scoring 10 points in the first quarter, Flamengo finished the first half ahead 23-21.

The start of the second quarter was fiercely contested. Brandon Robinson converted a two-pointer and was fouled, and Olivinha's three-pointer kept the Mais Querido in front. Next, Túlio da Silva scored a three-pointer and capitalized on a pass from Yago with a beautiful dunk. As the clock expired, Olivinha hit another shot from the perimeter to seal the first half: 41-36.

The Pride of the Nation started the third quarter very focused. Balbi and Olivinha hit their shots from the perimeter, and defensively, the team dominated the rebounds. After a block by Mineiro and three-pointers by Brandon Robinson and JP Batista, FlaBasquete opened up a 21-point lead. With their excellent performance in the fourth quarter, the game went into the final period 66-51.

The fourth quarter picked up where the third left off, with the team very focused defensively. Offensively, Olivinha opened the scoring, then Rachel hit a three-pointer and then dunked a solo shot after a steal in transition. In the final stretch, the team's collective effort yielded 33 points in the quarter, and the final score of 99-79 sealed the match.

Next appointment
The Pride of the Nation returns to the court next Friday (11) to face Universidad Concepción, at 18 pm, in Chile, for the Champions League of the Americas.

Starting Quintet
Yago, Lucas Martinez, Dar Tucker, Olivinha and Mineiro.