Benfica Dominates Ovarense in Hugo dos Santos Cup, Maintains Unbeaten Record
Benfica secured their third consecutive victory in the Taça Hugo dos Santos, defeating Ovarense 110-75 at the Pavilhão Fidelidade on Friday, February 20, 2026. The win keeps Benfica at the top of Group A, tied with Sporting Braga.
First Half Surge
Benfica started strong, opening the game with a quick triple from Geno Crandall and a basket from Aaron Broussard. Despite early resistance from Ovarense, the home team quickly established a double-digit lead, reaching 24-12 in the first quarter. They closed the first period leading 31-21.
In the second quarter, Benfica extended their advantage, responding to an early Ovarense push with a dominant 18-0 run. This surge propelled them to a 53-34 lead at halftime.
Second Half Battle and Final Push
Ovarense showed resilience in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to ten points (70-60). However, Benfica regained control, entering the final quarter with a 76-63 advantage.
The fourth quarter saw Benfica pull away decisively with a 34-12 run, sealing the victory at 110-75. This dominant performance was fueled by strong offensive contributions from multiple players.
Key Performers
Aaron Broussard led Benfica with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Temidayo Yussuf and Diogo Gameiro each contributed 17 points, although Geno Crandall added 15.
Coach Norberto Alves Comments
Benfica coach Norberto Alves praised his team’s performance, acknowledging Ovarense’s competitive spirit. He stated, “Ovarense is in 3rd place in our Championship. They know how to play basketball, they play very well, both defensively and offensively. It was essential today, against a team that knows how to defend well in midfield, to score points at a high pace. That’s why we scored the points we did.” Alves also expressed gratitude for the fan support, noting their importance during key moments of the game.
Next Match
Benfica will continue their Taça Hugo dos Santos campaign with an away game against Esgueira on March 8th at 6:30 PM.
Game Details
- Competition: Taça Hugo dos Santos (Group A)
- Date: February 20, 2026
- Location: Pavilhão Fidelidade
- Final Score: Benfica 110 – Ovarense 75
Benfica Starting Five:
- Aaron Broussard
- Justice Sueing
- José Silva
- Geno Crandall
- Daniel Relvão
Ovarense Starting Five:
- Jalen Jenkins
- Jay Heath Jr.
- Jonathan Silva
- Rodrigo Soeiro
- Gustavo Teixeira