GRSA Itabom Bauru vs Sao Jose: Bauru Secures 83-68 NBB Victory

GRSA Itabom Bauru defeated Sao Jose 83-68 in a Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) matchup on October 22, 2026, at the Ginásio Panela de Pressão. A balanced offensive effort and a decisive third-quarter run allowed Bauru to pull away from a competitive Sao Jose side and close out a comfortable home win.

The result gives Bauru an important early-season boost in the NBB standings, while Sao Jose will look to regroup after a road performance that faded in the second half. Bauru’s defense forced turnovers at key moments, and the home team converted those mistakes into transition points to break the game open.

Match Overview

Bauru led 43-37 at halftime after a tightly contested first two quarters. The game changed after the break, when Bauru outscored Sao Jose 24-14 in the third period to build a 67-51 advantage. Sao Jose never recovered, and Bauru managed the final quarter comfortably to secure the 15-point win.

Bauru shot 47% from the field and controlled the glass with a 40-34 rebounding edge. The hosts also moved the ball well, finishing with 19 assists, while Sao Jose managed 14. Bauru’s biggest advantage came in points off turnovers, where it outscored Sao Jose 21-9.

Key Moments

Sao Jose started with energy and briefly led 14-11 midway through the first quarter, using aggressive drives and second-chance opportunities. Bauru responded with a 10-2 run late in the period, capped by a corner three, to take a 21-18 lead into the second quarter.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern. Sao Jose stayed within striking distance behind the scoring of Guilherme Santos and Andre Coelho, but Bauru’s bench provided a spark. A quick 8-0 burst helped Bauru extend its lead, and the home team entered halftime with a 43-37 cushion.

The decisive stretch came in the third quarter. Bauru opened the second half with a 14-2 run, fueled by back-to-back steals and fast-break layups. Sao Jose called timeout, but the momentum had shifted. Bauru’s half-court defense locked down the paint, and Sao Jose struggled to find clean looks from beyond the arc.

Sao Jose made one final push in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 12 points with just over five minutes remaining. Bauru answered with a 6-0 run of its own, and the home side closed out the game with free throws and disciplined possessions.

Tactical Story

Bauru’s defensive game plan was clear: force Sao Jose into contested jump shots and limit easy penetration. The hosts switched aggressively on screens and used their length to disrupt passing lanes, finishing with 11 steals. Sao Jose shot just 6-of-24 from three-point range and often settled for difficult looks late in the shot clock.

On offense, Bauru played inside-out. Rafael de Souza established position in the post, drawing double-teams that opened shooting space for Lucas Mariano and Devin Holloway. Bauru’s ball movement was sharp, especially in the third quarter, when it recorded seven assists on nine made field goals.

Sao Jose’s best moments came when it played through Coelho in the mid-post and attacked the offensive glass. However, the visitors could not sustain that approach. Bauru’s bench outscored Sao Jose’s reserves 24-13, and the home team’s transition game produced 14 fast-break points compared to just six for Sao Jose.

Standout Players

Lucas Mariano led all scorers with 22 points, adding six assists and four rebounds. The Bauru guard was efficient from the field and controlled the tempo in the second half.

Devin Holloway delivered a strong all-around performance with 18 points and nine rebounds. His energy on the defensive end and ability to finish in transition were key during Bauru’s decisive third-quarter run.

Rafael de Souza recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, anchoring the paint on both ends. He also blocked two shots and altered several others.

For Sao Jose, Guilherme Santos scored 17 points and kept the visitors within reach in the first half. Andre Coelho added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Marcus Bell chipped in 12 points off the bench.

Season Impact

The win moves GRSA Itabom Bauru to 4-1 in the Novo Basquete Brasil standings, keeping the team near the top of the early table. Bauru has now won three s