Moca forces Game 6 in BSNF finals

Leigha Brown scored 26 points with five assists as Moca forced a Game 6 this Friday in the BSNF finals.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Explosivas of Moca forced a Game 6 in the Women’s National Superior Basketball (BSNF by its initials in Spanish) Finals by defeating the Atenienses of Manatí 87-80 at home on Wednesday.

The series is now 3-2 in favor of the Atenienses (Athenians). The two teams will face off this Friday night at 7 p.m. in Manatí in another elimination game.

The score remained close until midway through the second quarter, when Leigha Brown got hot and scored six-straight points, giving Moca a 38-35 lead.

From then on, both teams’ defenses were suffocating, resulting in a fast-paced game. Brown showed no signs of slowing down. The Explosivas’ import player continued her hot offensive display, finishing the half with 20 points with two three-pointers, and shooting 69% from the field. At the end of the first 20 minutes, Moca led 50-41.

In the closing seconds of the third quarter, an incident occurred in which Pamela Rosado collided with Brown, and both fell to the floor. Rosado complained of pain and lay face down on the court. When she turned over, it was revealed that she had suffered a cut on her forehead, forcing her to leave the game. Rosado was unable to return to the court and received nine stitches above her left eye. At the end of the period Moca held a 68-61 advantage.

The fourth quarter started very slow, and it seemed that both teams had lost their offensive rhythm. With 6:45 remaining, the score was 70-64, meaning they had only scored five points in the quarter. After the offensive drought ended, the teams began to trade baskets until Chelsea Mitchell pulled the Athenians within one point at 70-69 with 6:08 left to play. Moca responded with a three-pointer from Samantha Fuehring, but Mitchell followed with another three-pointer to keep it close.

Moca pulled away in the final minutes when Ashley Torres hit two three-pointers on consecutive possessions, while also grabbing two crucial rebounds as the Explosivas led 83-76 for the eventual winning margin.

Brown finished with 26 points and five assists, and Fuehring added 19 points for Moca. Mitchell led Manatí with 23 points.