Liga MB Round 15: Santa Tecla edges Halcones by three points

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Eighth-ranked Halcones (3-9) made lots of trouble for second ranked Santa Tecla (8-3) in Sonzacate on Sunday. The visitors from Santa Tecla managed to secure only three-point victory 77-74. However their fans expected much easier game. Santa Tecla outrebounded Halcones 53-38 including a 19-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Cuban Lisvan Maza (196-88) who scored 26 points and 7 rebounds. point guard Alejandro Arias (188-92) chipped in 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Santa Tecla's coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Marcus Thomas (191-95, college: Rosemont) who recorded 25 points and 9 rebounds. Santa Tecla keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Quezaltepeque. Halcones at the other side keep the eighth place with nine games lost.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Izalco. Local Brujos Izalco (6-5) outscored 9th ranked Santa Ana (2-9) 128-72. It was a good game for Vincentian center Akeme Smart (218-91, college: McCook CC) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 27 rebounds. JaCarre Crockett contributed with 31 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Puerto Rican point guard Lee Vazquez (173-91, college: Westfield St.) answered with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for Santa Ana. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Brujos Izalco have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fifth place with 6-5 record. Santa Ana lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with nine games lost.

Halcones - Santa Tecla 74-77

Eighth-ranked Halcones (3-9) made lots of trouble for second ranked Santa Tecla (8-3) in Sonzacate on Sunday. The visitors from Santa Tecla managed to secure only three-point victory 77-74. However their fans expected much easier game. Santa Tecla outrebounded Halcones 53-38 including a 19-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Cuban Lisvan Maza (196-88) who scored 26 points and 7 rebounds. Point guard Alejandro Arias (188-92) chipped in 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Santa Tecla's coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Marcus Thomas (191-95, college: Rosemont) who recorded 25 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import forward Ronald Patten (201-93, college: Wisc.-Whitewater) added 16 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Santa Tecla keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Quezaltepeque. Halcones at the other side keep the eighth place with nine games lost.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: L.Maza 26+7reb, Y.Molina 13+8reb+3ast, A.Arias 12+8reb+4ast, A.Alorda 10+12reb, C.Arias 9+11reb, L.Portal 5+7reb
Halcones: M.Thomas 25+9reb+2ast, R.Patten 16+14reb+5ast, R.Miranda 14+1reb, A.Merino 12+3reb, A.McElrath 4+5reb+2ast, I.Urrutia 3+2reb+1ast

Brujos Izalco - Santa Ana 128-72

The game with biggest result difference took place in Izalco. Local Brujos Izalco (6-5) outscored 9th ranked Santa Ana (2-9) 128-72. Brujos Izalco dominated down low during the game scoring 98 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 48. They outrebounded Santa Ana 70-26 including a 27-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Brujos Izalco players were unselfish on offense dishing 33 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Santa Ana's players. It was a good game for Vincentian center Akeme Smart (218-91, college: McCook CC) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 27 rebounds. American swingman JaCarre Crockett (190-96, college: Philander Smith) contributed with 31 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Four Brujos Izalco players scored in double figures. Puerto Rican point guard Lee Vazquez (173-91, college: Westfield St.) answered with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and A Benson-Lebron added 27 points in the effort for Santa Ana. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Brujos Izalco have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fifth place with 6-5 record. Santa Ana lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with nine games lost.
Top scorers:
Brujos Izalco: A.Smart 37+27reb+3ast, J.Crockett 31+6reb+8ast, M.Faison 25+12reb+3ast, P.Kevin 14+3reb+4ast, M.Orellana 9+5reb+1ast, J.Angulo 5+1reb+5ast
Santa Ana: B.A 27+4reb+1ast, L.Vazquez 21+5reb+6ast, W.Molina 8+4reb+3ast, R.Erick 7+2reb+2ast, G.Galdamez 4+1reb+1ast, J.Cuestas 2+2reb



Tags : LISVAN MAZA, SANTA TECLA BC, SALVADOREAN BASKETBALL