Victory in the last seconds! In the third round of the Basketball Champions League Americas group stage, Flamengo beat Minas 96-93 on Tuesday night (09), at Arena Minas. The duel was decided in the final seconds, with a beautiful three-point basket by winger Marquinhos, who decreed the third victory for the red-black team in the competition, and on top of that, he was the top scorer with 20 points.  

The game
The first quarter started with a lot of intensity. The red-and-black team made some offensive mistakes and took a while to score. Yago, who replaced Balbi, converted a three-pointer for Flamengo. Marquinhos, Leo Demetrio, and Jhonatan Luz also showed their accuracy, hitting a sequence of three-pointers. In the final seconds, Chuzito shot from the perimeter and scored three more points for Flamengo, who ended up winning the quarter 24-19.

In the second quarter, Hettsheimeir made a beautiful play and, on a layup, scored two more. Martinez then shot a three-pointer, and the ball went in. With two minutes remaining, Marquinhos and Jhonatan hit two three-pointers, extending the lead for Orgulho da Nação, who controlled the game and finished the quarter ahead: 44-35.

In the third period, the game remained under Flamengo's control, as they had the confidence to move the ball forward. Despite Flamengo's advantage, Minas came back stronger and managed to close the gap to two points. Hettsheimeir played well in the paint and scored two more. The match was evenly matched, and any mistake would lead to a counterattack for both teams. Chuzito made a great individual play and scored two more points for Flamengo, which remained ahead: 67-64.

In the final period, the match remained even, with the teams alternating leads. Yago had a great game and was one of the red-and-black team's main weapons. Leo Demetrio and Martinez hit a sequence of three-pointers for Mengão. In the final minutes, Martinez converted two free throws for Flamengo. Marquinhos made a good individual play, penetrated the paint, and scored two more. With two seconds remaining, Marquinhos hit a spectacular three-pointer to seal the victory for the Mais Querido (More Beloved) 96-93.  

Highlights:
Marquinhos – 20 points and 8 rebounds;
Lucas Martinez – 19 points;
Chuzito – 13 points;
Hettsheimeir – 11 points;
Leo Demetrio – 10 points.

And now?
The Pride of the Nation returns to the court next Sunday (14) to face Pinheiros, at 19 pm, at the Henrique Villaboim gym.

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

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).