Campo Mourao U22 claimed an impressive road victory in the Brazil LDB U22, defeating Cruzeiro U22 74–67 in a hard-fought contest that was close throughout before the visitors pulled away in the final minutes. The win underlines Campo Mourao's growing reputation as one of the most resilient young squads in the competition.

Match Overview

The game was a genuine back-and-forth affair for three quarters, with neither side able to establish a lasting advantage. Cruzeiro's home crowd helped fuel an energetic start, but Campo Mourao's disciplined half-court execution kept them within touching distance before their fourth-quarter surge decided matters. In a league built around developing young Brazilian talent, both rosters showed plenty of promise, but it was the visitors who handled the closing pressure better.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

• Q1: Cruzeiro 15 – Campo Mourao 19 — Campo Mourao started sharper, converting early turnovers into fast-break points.
• Q2: Cruzeiro 18 – Campo Mourao 16 — Cruzeiro responded well and trimmed the deficit to two at halftime (33–35).
• Q3: Cruzeiro 17 – Campo Mourao 20 — A strong close to the third quarter restored a five-point Campo Mourao lead (50–55).
• Q4: Cruzeiro 17 – Campo Mourao 19 — Composed free-throw shooting and timely stops sealed the win.

Key Moments

Cruzeiro tied the game at 55 early in the fourth quarter, and the home bench erupted as momentum appeared to shift. Campo Mourao's response was immediate and decisive: a corner three, a steal leading to a layup, and two made free throws stretched the lead back to seven in under two minutes. Cruzeiro had chances to close the gap but went cold from the perimeter in the final four minutes, including a pair of missed open looks that would have cut the deficit to three.

Tactical Story

Campo Mourao's defensive discipline was the foundation of the win. They switched effectively on screens, limited Cruzeiro's penetration and forced the home side into contested jump shots late in the shot clock. Offensively, they leaned on patient ball movement and attacked the rim when Cruzeiro's bigs stepped out to contest. Cruzeiro's rebounding edge kept them in the game, but their turnover count — particularly in transition — handed Campo Mourao too many easy scoring chances.

Standout Performers

Campo Mourao's backcourt dictated the pace of the game, combining for a large share of the team's scoring and assists while committing few mistakes under pressure. Their forward rotation also did the dirty work on the boards against a physically strong Cruzeiro frontcourt. For Cruzeiro, the performance highlighted genuine potential: their guards attacked the rim aggressively and their defensive energy generated several momentum-swinging plays, but the team's late-game execution and outside shooting remain areas to develop.

Season Impact

Road wins are precious in the Brazil LDB U22 standings, and this result gives Campo Mourao a valuable boost as the season progresses, strengthening their case for a strong finishing position. Cruzeiro, meanwhile, are left to rue a missed opportunity on home hardwood, though their competitive display against a quality opponent suggests better results are within reach. Both squads will take lessons from a game decided by small margins and late-game composure.

Quick Facts

• Final score: Cruzeiro U22 67 – 74 Campo Mourao U22
• Competition: Brazil LDB U22
• Halftime score: 33–35 in favor of Campo Mourao U22
• Largest lead: Campo Mourao U22 (+9)