Vaqueros win by 29, end undermanned Atléticos’ 5-game streak

The Vaqueros ended the Atléticos’ five-game winning streak with a lopsided victory at Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum in Bayamón on Sunday night.

Criollos hold off Capitanes in Arecibo

By THE STAR STAFF

The Vaqueros of Bayamón defeated the Atléticos of San Germán 86-57 in the second and final regular-season matchup between the two teams on Sunday, ending the Atléticos’ five-game winning streak and tying their head-to-head series at one win apiece.

With the victory at Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum in Bayamón, the Vaqueros improved to 19-11 in the Superior National Basketball league, while San Germán fell to 20-10.

The Atléticos once again played without André Curbelo and Montrezl Harrell, two key players in their rotation.

Bayamón set the tone from the opening tip-off with a 6-0 run and never relinquished the lead. The home team dominated the first quarter 19-13 and extended the gap before halftime, heading to the locker room with a 39-22 advantage.

In the second half, the Vaqueros outscored the Atleticos by 13 points in the third quarter, entering the final period with a 30-point lead at 67-37.

Damian Jones, Jae Crowder and Jordan Daniel Cintrón each scored 13 points for the Vaqueros, and Stephen Thompson Jr. contributed 11.

Julián Torres was the lone double-figure scorer for San Germán with 13 points.

At Manuel “Petaca” Iguina Coliseum in Arecibo, meanwhile, the Criollos of Caguas defeated the host Capitanes, 112-110.

The Criollos seemed in control with five minutes left to play in the game after extending an 87-79 advantage to start the fourth quarter to 101-90. However, Arecibo rallied in the closing minutes, narrowing the gap to just one point on a three-pointer by Ramses Meléndez with 16.8 seconds remaining.

Louis King then made one of two free throws to put Caguas up by two points, which would prove to be the winning margin after the Capitanes failed to complete the comeback on their final possession.

King led Caguas (18-10) with 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Travis Trice added 24 points and 10 assists. Moses Brown contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Alexander Kappos finished with 17 points.

Timothy Soares finished with 27 points and eight rebounds for Arecibo (15-12). Rafael Pinzón added 22 points, Alfonso Plummer contributed 15 points and six assists, and Derrick Walton Jr. recorded 13 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.