Minas Tenis Clube U22 survived a fierce second-half rally from Caxias do Sul Basquete Recreio da Juventude U22 to claim a hard-fought 79-75 victory in Brazil LDB U22 action on July 25, 2026. The home side used a strong opening quarter to build a double-digit lead, then held off a furious Caxias do Sul comeback in the final minutes to secure the win in front of their fans.

Match Overview

Played at Minas Tenis Clube’s home venue, the contest saw the hosts come out with intensity on both ends of the floor. The first quarter set the tone: Minas Tenis stormed to a 24-14 lead, capitalizing on fast-break opportunities and crisp ball movement. However, Caxias do Sua showed resilience in the second period, trimming the deficit to 42-36 by halftime.

The third quarter became a defensive struggle. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, but Minas Tenis managed to extend its lead to 62-52 entering the final frame. That's when Caxias do Sua made its most determined push, opening the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run to tie the game at 62-62 with six minutes remaining.

Key Moments

• First-half dominance: Minas Tenis shot 52% from the field in the first half, including 5-of-9 from three-point range, to establish control.
• Caxias do Sua's rally: A 12-2 run spanning the third and fourth quarters erased a double-digit deficit and briefly gave the visitors momentum.
• Clutch free throws: With the score tied at 75-75 and under 30 seconds left, Minas Tenis guard Lucas Mendes was fouled on a drive and calmly sank both free throws to put his team ahead for good.
• Defensive stop: On the ensuing possession, Minas Tenis forced a tough contested jumper that missed, and forward Rafael Nascimento grabbed the defensive rebound before being fouled. He made one of two free throws to seal the 79-75 final.

Standout Performances

Leading the way for Minas Tenis was power forward João Almeida, who posted a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds. His inside presence was crucial in the first half, and he also recorded two blocks. Guard Lucas Mendes added 18 points and 5 assists, including the game-winning free throws.

For Caxias do Sua, guard Pedro Oliveira was the offensive catalyst, pouring in 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting. He also dished out 4 assists. Center Felipe Santos contributed a double-double of his own with 14 points and 11 rebounds, but the team's 14 turnovers proved costly.

Table and Season Impact

The victory improved Minas Tenis Clube U22’s record in the LDB U22 standings to 8-3, keeping them among the top four in the league. Caxias do Sua dropped to 5-6, remaining in the middle of the pack but still within striking distance of a playoff spot. The head-to-head result could prove pivotal later in the season, as tiebreakers often come into play in the competitive U22 circuit.

With the regular season approaching its midpoint, both teams will look to build on their performances. Minas Tenis returns to action next week against a direct rival for a top seed, while Caxias do Sua will aim to snap a two-game losing streak.