Round 5 (Regular Season): Nacional beat Espanol

Liga Sudamericana is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 5 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Leader Uruguayan Nacional faced 4th placed Chilean Espanol. Guests from Montevideo (4-0) smashed host Espanol (1-3) 79-59. The guests trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 17-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 79-59. Nacional dominated on the defensive end, holding Espanol O. to just 4 points in second quarter. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Earl Watson (201-1990, college: URI) who scored 16 points (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Guard Agustin Mendez (180-2003) chipped in 14 points. American-Ivorian forward Mike Fofana (206-1997, college: HSU) produced 24 points and 7 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Nacional have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 4-0 record. Espanol lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Bottom-ranked Ecuadorian Santa Maria (0-4) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 97-88 loss to second ranked Argentinian San Lorenzo (3-1) in Almagro. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. Sebastian Lugo (195-1998) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points. Facundo Rutenberg contributed with 18 points for the winners. American KJ Hinds (198-1995, college: Redlands CC) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds for Santa Maria. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. San Lorenzo have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 3-1 record behind leader CAN Potosi. Defending Ecuadorian champion Santa Maria still closes the standings with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.




San Lorenzo - Santa Maria 97-88

Bottom-ranked Ecuadorian Santa Maria (0-4) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 97-88 loss to second ranked Argentinian San Lorenzo (3-1) in Almagro. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. The hosts were already 15 points ahead after 3 quarters before a 25-19 Santa Maria's run in the last quarter cut the lead to 97-88 at the end of the game. San Lorenzo players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Sebastian Lugo (195-1998) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points. Forward Facundo Rutenberg (195-2001) contributed with 18 points for the winners. American KJ Hinds (198-1995, college: Redlands CC) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds and forward Alexander Guerra (196-1996) added 8 points and 8 assists in the effort for Santa Maria. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. San Lorenzo have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 3-1 record behind leader CAN Potosi. Defending Ecuadorian champion Santa Maria still closes the standings with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
San Lorenzo: S.Lugo 21+2reb+1ast, F.Rutenberg 18+3reb+3ast, G.Cordoba 13+6reb+4ast, L.Latorre 12+1reb+1ast, F.Grun 12+4reb+2ast, F.Alorda 7+6reb+2ast
Santa Maria: K.Hinds 19+10reb+1ast, R.Roldan 16+3reb, D.Hooks 15+3reb, M.Martinez 13+2reb+3ast, K.Quinones 9+9reb, A.Guerra 8+4reb+8ast

Espanol O. - Nacional 59-79

Leader Uruguayan Nacional faced 4th placed Chilean Espanol. Guests from Montevideo (4-0) smashed host Espanol (1-3) 79-59. The guests trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 17-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 79-59. Nacional dominated on the defensive end, holding Espanol O. to just 4 points in second quarter. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Earl Watson (201-1990, college: URI) who scored 16 points (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Guard Agustin Mendez (180-2003) chipped in 14 points. American-Ivorian forward Mike Fofana (206-1997, college: HSU) produced 24 points and 7 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and American forward Yahota Rasas (201-1999, college: PVAMU) added 5 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Nacional have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 4-0 record. Espanol lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Nacional: E.Watson 16+2reb, A.Mendez 14+2reb+1ast, G.Espindola 11+2reb+2ast, M.Suarez 7+5reb+3ast, M.Sarni 6+2reb+3ast, P.Prieto 5+2reb+1ast
Espanol O.: M.Fofana 24+7reb+3ast, S.Suarez 12+2reb, M.Gonzales 6+3reb, A.Moraga 5+2reb+1ast, Y.Rasas 5+11reb+1ast, B.Amor 5+5reb+5ast