MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (Interstat) — Franca overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat Nacional de Montevideo 83-71 in a Basketball Champions League Americas game Friday.

The visitors trailed 56-46 at halftime after Nacional de Montevideo’s strong first half. Franca’s defense tightened after the break, holding the hosts to 17 points in the third quarter to seize control. George Lucas led Franca with 18 points and eight rebounds. Lucas Dias Silva added 16 points and six rebounds. Erik Thomas paced Nacional de Montevideo with 11 points and nine rebounds.

Franca improved to 37-9 across all competitions. Nacional de Montevideo fell to 8-1.