CAGUAS, Puerto Rico – Moses Brown made a resounding debut for the Criollos de Caguas on Tuesday night, leading them to a 90-86 victory over the Cangrejeros de Santurce in the opening game of the 2026 Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) season at the Coliseo Roger Mendoza. The 7’2” center showcased his dominance with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and an impressive six blocked shots.
The win improves Caguas’ record to 2-0, whereas Santurce falls to 1-2. The two teams will quickly meet again, with a rematch scheduled for Thursday at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente.
Brown, who signed with the Criollos as their third reinforcement for the 2026 BSN season, immediately made his presence felt. His impact was particularly noticeable in the paint, disrupting Santurce’s offensive rhythm and controlling the boards. “He was everything we expected,” said Criollos head coach Wilhelmus Caanen. “A lot of energy, protection at the basket. Deflecting shots, getting blocks, keeping the ball alive on offense with the rebounds. He finished very well. But, above all, he’s a perfect fit for our culture. A good kid, easy to coach, and you know his weaknesses. He’s acclimated with the group from day one.”
While Brown’s performance was the story of the night, the Criollos also received significant contributions from Travis Trice, who led the team in scoring with 25 points and added 12 assists, and Louis King, who chipped in with 11 points. Trice, the 2024 BSN Most Valuable Player, demonstrated his all-around game, effectively running the offense and finding open teammates.
For Santurce, Walter Hodge Jr. Led the way with 22 points, including a significant portion from beyond the arc. Malik Beasley added 20 points and six rebounds, but struggled with his outside shot, missing eight of his three-point attempts. Ángel Matías contributed 15 points off the bench.
The game remained tight throughout, with the score tied at 79 with just over two minutes remaining. Brown broke the tie with a pair of free throws, and Caguas extended their lead after Jeff Early Jr. Drew a foul and converted both attempts. A three-pointer from Louis King with 33 seconds left appeared to seal the victory for the Criollos.
Santurce refused to go quietly, with Hodge Jr. Continuing to score. Trice added four points from the free-throw line as Santurce intentionally fouled, but their efforts proved insufficient to overcome the Criollos’ lead.
The Cangrejeros were without their starting point guard, Ángel Rodríguez, who is sidelined with a leg injury. In his absence, veteran guard David Huertas was activated and finished the game with seven points. Santurce had a strong first half, leading 43-39 at the intermission.
Elsewhere in the BSN on Tuesday, the Santeros de Aguada improved to 2-0 with a 75-72 victory over the Indios de Mayagüez, secured by a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Iván Gandía. The Indios fell to 0-3. In Arecibo, the Capitanes defeated the Leones de Ponce 110-102, handing Ponce their third consecutive loss.
Moses Brown’s impressive debut signals a potentially transformative addition for the Criollos de Caguas. His size, athleticism, and defensive prowess will undoubtedly be a key factor as they navigate the competitive BSN season. The quick rematch against the Cangrejeros on Thursday will provide an immediate test of whether Brown can maintain his dominant form and aid the Criollos continue their winning start.
What’s Next: The Criollos will face the Cangrejeros again on Thursday, April 2nd, at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM AST (UTC-4).
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