Quimsa took a 2-1 series lead in the Argentinian Liga Nacional de Basket (LNB) last night, after a 91-70 away win over Instituto de Córdoba.
Recapping the first two games
The first match delivered a good start for Quimsa after a 74-73 victory over Instituto. Davaunta Thomas was the MVP after picking up 21 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Gallizzi scored 19 points and 8 rebounds for Instituto, who won 3 of the quarters, but in the third quarter was decisive, as Quimsa swung a 17 point difference to take the lead.
In the second match, Instituto figured that the way to beat the Quimsa was to follow the straightest, sharpest and steeliest line of offense. Cuello led Instituto by scoring 30 points: scoring 4 triples in 6 attempts, 4/6 doubles, 10/10 free throws. Romano scored 16 points and 19 rebounds for Instituto as well. Eric Anderson scored 17 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists for Quimsa.
Quimsa trailed for the entire game, unable to find their flow. They committed fouls around their own basket and couldn’t make the most of free throws at the other end (15/23). Davaunta Thomas, was only able to pick up 12 points. With as the buzzer closed out the third quarter, Quimsa were almost 20 points down.
Instituto took advantage of long possessions, great defensive work – especially from the first to the third quarter – along with offensive effectiveness on the court (49%).
🤯 #FinalesLaLiga Triunfazo de La Gloria, que se queda con la ventaja de localía. pic.twitter.com/5bjJSkCr5N
— #FinalesLaLiga (@LigaNacional) June 3, 2022
Game three swings in Quimsa’s favor
Last night’s victory means that Quimsa are just one win away from clinching their first championship in 7 years. Eric Anderson and Davaunta Thomas scored 41 points (45.05%) for the visitors, both of whom were key players for their team in the first two games.
.@spida35 🔥
⚡️ As predicted, a @AAQuimsa victory would come at the hands of Davaunta Thomas and Eric Anderson. They combined for 41 points and 17 rebounds last night, as #Quimsa took a 2-1 series lead. #FinalesLaLiga https://t.co/KboxK72vCV https://t.co/NRuhxk9GdD
— Genius Sports Report (@GSports_Report) June 8, 2022
Quimsa came out swinging in the first quarter (27-19), as they tried to secure the victory and take revenge of last defeat at home, in Santiago del Estero.
The second quarter was even worse for Instituto. Reyshwan Terry scored a triple for Quimsa to stretch the score to 25-50: a 25 point difference. Instituto de Córdoba could score just 14 points in this period to end 33-51.
The third period was hopeless for home team, as Anderson extended the lead to 25 points again (35-60). The performance of the home side was a little better, with 19 points in the third. Luciano González, in particular, inspired his team to attempt a comeback. In the last quarter, Quimsa kept things simple, knowing that the victory was secured to finish 91-70.
🤩 #FinalesLaLiga ¡@AAQuimsa fue contundente y buscará cerrar la serie el jueves! pic.twitter.com/kXRtsEL54h
— #FinalesLaLiga (@LigaNacional) June 8, 2022
Again, the efforts of Anderson and Thomas were pivotal for Quimsa. Game four takes place on Thursday evening, with Instituto hoping to extend the series to the full five games. At this stage, anything is possible.
