Arantia Larochette moved on in the cup with an 81-67 road win over BC Mess after a sharp turnaround in the middle quarters.
BC Mess, coached by Stéphane Frentzel, started at high speed and raced to a 17-0 lead. Luke Davis (25, 2.03m, USA), Keishon Lamont Porter (24, 1.96m, USA) and Pedrito Kemevuako (MES) set the tone, and Mess still led 31-20 after the first quarter.
Daniel Alves Brandao de Sousa's team changed the game in the second period. Arantia opened with a 10-2 push, then kept scoring through Joshua Robinson McClary (23, 1.89m, USA), who produced 13 points in the quarter. The visitors won the period 26-14 and turned a 12-point deficit into a 46-45 halftime lead.
The third quarter was the key control phase. Arantia went in front 53-47, then extended again after Mess had cut it to 53-51. Vic Heuschling (ARA) hit back-to-back threes in that stretch, while Edson Rafael De Sousa Silva (ARA) added another from deep. From 47-46 down early in the half, Arantia built a 64-55 advantage entering the last quarter.
Mess got within 64-58 on Porter's three, but Arantia answered immediately and never let the game become close again. The lead reached 15 points late.
Arantia's main difference-makers were McClary with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, and Michael Esosa Imariagbe (24, 2.01m, USA) with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Heuschling added 10 points on good 2-point and 3-point efficiency. As a team, Arantia shot a good 58% on 2-pointers and made 10 threes.
For Mess, Porter was named game MVP with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks and 9 fouls received, while Davis posted 20 points and 13 rebounds. Mess also shot a good 61% from 2-point range, but the 3-point shooting at 18% and the loss of rhythm after the first quarter shaped the game.
(AI generated)