Fluminense U22 claimed a hard-fought 75-69 road victory over Rio Claro/ABDC LDB U22 in Brazil LDB U22 action on September 15, 2026. The visitors overcame an early deficit with a dominant third quarter, outscoring Rio Claro 24-14 in that period to take control of the game. The win lifts Fluminense’s record and hands Rio Claro a frustrating home loss in a tightly contested matchup.

Match Overview

Rio Claro/ABDC started the game with high energy, using their home crowd to build an early 22-18 lead after the first quarter. Their interior passing and offensive rebounding gave Fluminense problems. However, Fluminense responded in the second quarter, tightening their defense and cutting the halftime deficit to 38-36. The game remained close until the third quarter, when Fluminense unleashed a decisive run.

• First Quarter: Rio Claro/ABDC 22, Fluminense 18
• Second Quarter: Rio Claro/ABDC 16, Fluminense 18
• Third Quarter: Rio Claro/ABDC 14, Fluminense 24
• Fourth Quarter: Rio Claro/ABDC 17, Fluminense 15
• Final: Rio Claro/ABDC 69, Fluminense 75

Fluminense’s third-quarter explosion was the story of the game. They opened the second half with a 12-0 run, fueled by three-point shooting and transition baskets. Rio Claro/ABDC struggled to find offensive rhythm, committing five turnovers in the period. Although Rio Claro fought back in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to four points with two minutes remaining, Fluminense converted key free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Key Moments

The momentum shifted early in the third quarter when Fluminense’s shooting guard Lucas Andrade hit back-to-back three-pointers, forcing Rio Claro to call a timeout. Out of the timeout, Fluminense’s zone defense confused Rio Claro’s half-court sets, leading to a steal and a fast-break layup that extended the lead to 14 points. Rio Claro made a late push behind forward Pedro Henrique, who scored six straight points, but Fluminense’s composure at the charity stripe sealed the victory.

Tactical Breakdown

Fluminense’s coaching staff made a key adjustment at halftime, switching from man-to-man to a 2-3 zone defense. This move neutralized Rio Claro’s interior scoring and forced them into contested perimeter shots. Offensively, Fluminense relied on ball screens and quick ball reversal to create open looks. Rio Claro/ABDC, on the other hand, became overly reliant on isolation plays and struggled to penetrate the zone. Their three-point shooting was inconsistent, finishing the game at 32% from beyond the arc.

Standout Performers

• Fluminense: Lucas Andrade led the way with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Center Gabriel Rocha dominated the paint with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Point guard Felipe Santos added 12 points and 7 assists.
• Rio Claro/ABDC: Pedro Henrique scored 18 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Thiago Almeida contributed 13 points and 5 assists, but the team’s bench was outscored 24-12.

League Impact

Fluminense U22 improves to 7-4 on the season, moving up in the Brazil LDB U22 standings and boosting their playoff aspirations. Rio Claro/ABDC drops to 5-6 and will need to address their third-quarter struggles to remain competitive. The LDB U22 continues to showcase the next generation of Brazilian basketball talent, and this game highlighted the importance of halftime adjustments and defensive versatility. Fluminense’s ability to win on the road against a tough opponent signals they could be a dangerous team come playoff time.