The Leones de Santo Domingo achieved an explosive last quarter that propelled them to a 73-72 victory over the Marineros de Puerto Plata, in a match corresponding to the National Basketball League (LNB) held at the Fabio Rafael González.
The Scarlets (2-0), who were behind by double figures for most of the game, had William Green and Kelechi Ajukwa as their top scorers with 14. Juan Guerrero had 12 with 8 rebounds, Eulis Báez scored 11 with 11 rebounds and 5 assists, while Steve Burtt added another 11 points, including 9 assists.
For the Mariners (0-2), MJ Rhett was the best with 14 points and 7 rebounds, followed by 12 points from Kerwin Roach and 10 from both Luis Jacobo and Bernardo Polanco.
The Lions saved the best for the final half, first with a 13-5 run completed by Burtt to pull within 53-57 with 5:19 remaining. Then Burtt himself nailed a 3-pointer with 2:01 left that tied the score at 68-68. The first red lead of the entire game came when Báez hit a 3-pointer with 40 seconds left, making the score 73-70.
With 14 seconds remaining and trailing by 1 (72-73), the Mariners had a chance to win on their last possession, but Corey Sanders, very well defended by Burtt, missed a shot near the free throw line moments before the buzzer. cicada.
Led by Roach, the Mariners started by winning 10-5 with 5:43 left in the first quarter. The Lions came within three (15-18) when Burtt scored a layup, but the locals resisted and won the quarter 21-15.
Follow-up triples by Jacobo and Carlos Carela made it 34-21 in favor of the Mariners with 3:05 left in the second quarter. The maximum difference was 14 (37-23) with 2:00 on the clock. The half was 37-27.
Roach (12 points) and Jacobo (9) led Puerto Plata’s scoring at halftime, shooting 41 percent (12-5) and causing 11 turnovers to their rivals. Juan Guerrero (6) and William Green (6) led the capitaleños in scoring.
Both teams struggled to score in the third period, until the Mariners ignited with an 8-0 rally, capped by a Bernardo Polanco layup that made it 52-35 with 1:05 left. The scoreboard favored the northerners 52-40 after 30 minutes of action.
The quarters concluded 15-21, 12-16, 13-15 and 33-20 for the Lions.
Session this Friday
The Soles of Santo Domingo Este (0-1) will receive the Cañeros del Este (0-1) at the Invivienda sports center at 7:00 p.m., while at 9:00 the Indios de San Francisco de Macorís (1-0) will visit the Reales de La Vega (1-0) at the Fernando Teruel.
