RIO DE JANEIRO (Campeonato Nacional) - Ribeirao Preto produced a thrilling second-half comeback against Franca to come away with a 63-61 road win in Game One of Brazil's Campeonato Nacional final.
The home side were on course for a comfortable victory, leading 21-6 by the end of the first quarter and 43-18 at half-time.
But Ribeirao Preto, who have won 16 of their 27 previous meetings in the Campeonato Nacional, hit back in the third.
They closed to within eight (54-46) before outscoring Franca 17-11 in the final quarter to snatch the win at the death.
"We lost control of the game in the first quarter and they had a 15-point lead at the end of the first quarter and 25 at the end of second," said Ribeirao Preto guard Alex.
"But we started the third with a lot of team spirit and knew we could change the game.
"In the final seconds of the game, we showed our determination to get the victory."
Nezinho led all scorers with 19 points for the victors, while Murilo had 17 for Franca, along with 11 rebounds.
Arthur Silva and Durelle Brown both added 11 points apiece for Ribeirao Preto with Franca's second-highest scorer Rogerio with 16.
Game Two in the best-of-five series will be played on Sunday.
PA Sport, exclusively for FIBA.com