Lanús Holds Off Quilmes in Thrilling Liga Argentina Matchup
LANÚS, Argentina – Lanús secured a hard-fought 90-86 victory over Quilmes Mar Del Plata on Friday, March 8, 2026, at the Antonio Rotili gymnasium. The win strengthens Lanús’ position in the race for a top-four finish in the Conferencia Sur of the Liga Argentina de Básquet, while Quilmes came up just short despite a spirited performance on the road. The game, a back-and-forth affair, saw several lead changes and a dramatic finish, ultimately decided by a clutch three-pointer from Lanús’ Roberto Whitfield.
First-Quarter Surge for Quilmes, Second-Quarter Response from Lanús
Quilmes started the game with impressive efficiency, establishing a 29-19 lead after the first quarter. Juan De La Fuente led the charge for the visitors, attacking the basket effectively, while the perimeter shooting of Juan Ríos and the speed of David Moore proved difficult for Lanús to contain. But, Lanús responded emphatically in the second quarter, erasing the deficit with a dominant 38-point performance. After initially struggling from beyond the arc, hitting eleven consecutive misses to start the game, Lanús found their range, connecting on four three-pointers and capitalizing on defensive lapses from Quilmes. The home team entered halftime with a 57-44 advantage.
Foul Trouble and a Late Push from Quilmes
The third quarter saw Quilmes facing foul trouble, with key players accumulating personal fouls. Despite this, they managed to stay within striking distance, largely due to the efforts of De La Fuente and Pablo Alderete. Lanús maintained control, closing the period with a 74-65 lead. The fourth quarter became a showcase of Quilmes’ resilience. Even with Moore, Tomás Nally, and Alderete sidelined due to foul trouble, Quilmes refused to concede. They chipped away at the lead, tying the game before the final minute. Lanús, facing mounting pressure, appeared unable to close out the game.
Whitfield’s Clutch Shot Seals the Victory
With just 50 seconds remaining, Lanús secured a crucial offensive rebound and passed the ball to Whitfield on the perimeter. The former Peñarol player, against expectations, launched a three-pointer that found the bottom of the net, giving Lanús a narrow lead. Quilmes had one last opportunity, but a fortunate rebound secured by Lanús and a subsequent turnover sealed their fate. A late fall by De La Fuente further dampened Quilmes’ hopes of a comeback.
Key Performers
Roquez Johnson led Lanús with 21 points, while Roberto Whitfield contributed 14. For Quilmes, Juan De La Fuente was the standout performer with 26 points. David Moore and Pablo Alderete added 12 and 10 points respectively.
Statistical Summary
Lanús shot 33 of 62 from the field (53.2%), including 9 of 22 from three-point range (40.9%). They also made 15 of 21 free throws (71.4%). Quilmes shot 30 of 60 from the field (50%), 8 of 18 from three-point range (44.4%), and 18 of 22 from the free throw line (81.8%). Lanús had 35 rebounds to Quilmes’ 32.
What’s Next?
Both teams will continue their Liga Argentina campaigns. Lanús will gaze to build on this momentum in their next fixture, while Quilmes will aim to bounce back from this narrow defeat. Specific details regarding their upcoming schedules were not immediately available, but information will be updated on the official Liga Argentina website: https://www.laliganacional.com.ar/laligaargentina.
This game underscored the competitive nature of the Liga Argentina de Básquet, with both teams demonstrating impressive skill and determination. While Quilmes showed tremendous character in battling back from a significant deficit, Lanús ultimately proved too strong, securing a vital win in their pursuit of a top-four finish.
