Résidence Walferdange, coached by Rainer Kloss, took this cup tie 82-71 over AS Soleuvre after a game that stayed open deep into the fourth quarter.
Soleuvre started well and led 12-10, but RES closed the first period with an 11-2 run to move 21-16 ahead. Early in the second quarter, Dean Gindt (35, 2.01m) hit two straight threes and stretched the margin to 27-16, the first double-digit lead of the night. Eric Bettini's team reacted well: Soleuvre won the second quarter 22-16 and went into halftime in front, 38-37, with Gerald Drumgoole (25, 1.98m, USA) driving the comeback.
The third quarter was the key swing. Soleuvre pushed to 47-41 and later 50-45 behind Christian Parker (24, 2.00m, USA) and Sandro Sanchez Gomes Junior (22, 1.94m), but Desean Hampton (28, 1.93m, USA) changed the pace. The game MVP produced 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks and 2 steals, shot an excellent 8/10 on 2-pointers and sparked a 7-0 RES run, including 5 straight points of his own, that flipped the score.
Walferdange entered the last quarter up 60-54. Soleuvre stayed close at 67-64 and again at 75-71, so the winners were not safe until late. Then RES finished on a 7-0 burst. Oliver Vujakovic (29, 1.95m) led Walferdange with 26 points and a 12-rebound double-double, while Demarkus Stuckey Jr (31, 1.82m, USA) added 17 points, hit 3 threes and had no turnover.
Team numbers also mattered: RES were good from the foul line at 8/10 (80%) and committed only 8 turnovers. Soleuvre shot well inside the arc at 24/39 (good 62%), with Parker posting 20 points and 11 rebounds, Sanchez Gomes Junior adding 15 points on an excellent 6/8 from 2-point range, and Drumgoole finishing with 29 points before fouling out late.
(AI generated)