Résidence Walferdange won 82-71 against AS Soleuvre in this cup opener, but the gap only became clear late in the fourth quarter.
Soleuvre had the better start and led 12-8, before Walferdange answered with a 13-2 run to close the first quarter at 21-16. Coach Rainer Kloss' team then created the first real break early in the second period: Dean Gindt (35, 2.01m) hit back-to-back threes and pushed RES to 27-16, the first double-digit margin. Soleuvre reacted well, though, and finished the half with an 11-2 push to take back the lead at 38-37.
The third quarter changed the game. Soleuvre moved in front 47-41, with Sánchez Gomes Junior (SOL) scoring 7 points in that sequence. Then Desean Hampton (27, 1.93m, USA) took over. He scored 13 points in the quarter and sparked a 19-7 Walferdange run from 41-47 to 60-54.
Soleuvre stayed in contact in the last period, first at 67-64 and later at 75-71, so the winner was still not fully safe. Walferdange, however, closed better and finished on a 7-0 run.
Oliver Vujakovic (29, 1.95m) led RES with 26 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. Hampton added 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks, with excellent shooting: 3/3 on free throws and 8/10 on 2-pointers. Demarkus Stuckey Jr (31, 1.82m, USA) brought 17 points, while Mykolas Maindron (22, 1.82m) had 10 points and 4 assists.
For Soleuvre, Gerald Drumgoole (SOL) produced 29 points and drew 11 fouls, while Christian Parker (SOL) scored 20. Sánchez Gomes Junior added 15 points and shot an excellent 75% from 2-point range. Drumgoole fouled out late.
Walferdange compensated for Soleuvre's good 58% on 2-pointers with a strong 37-19 rebounding edge, 6 blocks, fewer turnovers (8 to 11), and good 80% free-throw shooting.
(AI generated)