PUERTO LA CRUZ, Venezuela (Interstat) —

Nahziah Carter scored 24 points and Micheal Warren added 17 points with eight rebounds as the Zulia Gaiteros defeated the Anzoátegui Marinos 79-75 on Tuesday at Luis Ramos de Puerto La Cruz to clinch the Venezuelan SLB playoff series 3-1.

Zulia led 22-17 after the first quarter and extended the lead to 48-34 at halftime behind a 26-17 second quarter. Anzoátegui matched Zulia 20-20 in the third, but the Marinos outscored Zulia 21-11 in the fourth to pull within four points before falling short.

Warren, the Gaiteros’ shooting guard, also dished two assists in 36 minutes. Luis Duarte recorded 14 points and nine rebounds, and Miguel Simon added 11 points and 11 rebounds. Windi Graterol contributed 10 points and eight rebounds for Zulia.

For Anzoátegui, Juan Miguel Suero scored 15 points with seven rebounds, and Malik Dime posted 12 points and 10 rebounds. K.J. McDaniels scored 17 points in 30 minutes. Gregory Vargas, a native of Ocumare Del Tuy, had nine points, three rebounds and two assists. Michael Bryson added seven points.

Zulia improved to 25-8, while Anzoátegui fell to 20-12.