Vaqueros eliminate Criollos, advance to BSN Finals

Damian Jones scored 19 points to help the Vaqueros of Bayamón defeat the Criollos of Caguas and advance to the BSN Finals.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Vaqueros of Bayamón defeated the Criollos of Caguas 96-88 on Monday night in Game 6 of the Superior National Basketball (BSN by its initials in Spanish) Conference A finals at Roger Mendoza Coliseum in Caguas.

With the victory, the Vaqueros eliminated the Criollos four games to two and now await the winner of the Conference B championship series between the Leones of Ponce and the Santeros of Aguada.

The game was the most competitive of the series. Bayamón held the lead for 36 minutes and 53 seconds. Caguas applied pressure in the closing moments, but came up short as the Vaqueros outscored the hosts 22-19 in the final period to secure the victory and a spot in the finals.

As a team, Bayamón shot 50.7% from the field and connected on eight of 25 attempts from the perimeter. The bench contributed 24 points and generated 12 points on fast breaks. The Criollos responded with 44.3% shooting efficiency but in the end could not mount a comeback.

Jassel Pérez led the Vaqueros with 23 points and six rebounds, while Damian Jones scored 19 points, shooting an efficient 75% from the field, and Chris McCullough added 15 points. Veteran Renaldo Balkman had eight points and eight rebounds off the bench, and Gary Brown contributed seven rebounds and 10 assists.

Travis Trice led the Criollos with 20 points and seven assists, while Moses Brown scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, Alexander Kappos had 14 points and Jeff Early Jr. added 13 points off the bench.