Basketball Champions League Americas: Bauru celebrate the trophy - Mar 16, 2015
Bauru - Pioneros 86:72
Bauru are the new Basketball Champions League Americas champions! They defeated Pioneros in the Final in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Rafael Hettsheimer (206-C-86) stepped up with 30 points and 8 rebounds to pace the Brazilian team. Bauru and Pioneros exchanged the baskets throughout the opening quarter. The scoreboard read 24:24 at the first break. Bauru surged ahead in the second frame. They secured a 46:41 halftime lead. Pioneros stiffened defensively in the third quarter. They limited their Brazilian opponents to just 16 points and pulled within three points at the final break. However Bauru reacted with a 24:13 run in the fourth period to roll to the title. Murilo Becker (211-C/F-83) delivered 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Alex Ribeiro (191-G-80, agency: Interperformances) added 16 points for the winners. Justin Keenan (202-F/C-88, college: Ferris St.) responded with 23 points for Pioneros. Denis Clemente (183-PG-86, college: Kansas St.) had 13 points in the defeat.