US Heffingen won a close cup tie against Bascharage Hedgehogs, 66-59, after regaining control in the last minutes.
José Alberto Pais Costa's team built the game with a strong first quarter. After Bascharage opened 0-2, Heffingen answered with an 8-0 burst and later pushed the gap to 21-9. The home side was more settled early, while Bascharage needed time to find rhythm.
Dejan Pavlovic's team reacted well in the second period. Fabien Vandler (BAS) and Noah Bertolini (BAS) gave Bascharage spacing, and the visitors erased most of the deficit, first tying at 25-25 and then briefly moving in front 32-31. Heffingen still reached halftime ahead, 35-32.
The third quarter brought the best Bascharage sequence. After Heffingen led 44-36, the visitors produced an 11-1 run, with Bertolini (BAS) and Luka Jovicic (BAS) key in that stretch, to take a 47-45 lead. Robert Brinck (HEF) hit an important three, and Heffingen recovered a narrow 50-49 edge before the last quarter.
The decisive moment came late. Heffingen moved from 51-49 to 56-49, but Bascharage answered through Luka Stankovic (BAS), who scored 6 straight points, and then Deni Sabotic (18, 1.85m) put the Hedgehogs ahead 59-58. From there, Heffingen closed on an 8-0 run. Frank Jacoby (HEF) scored inside, Helder Laercio Neto (25, 1.98m, AGO) added a free throw, and Lee Bourgeois (HEF) sealed it at the line.
Neto, the game MVP, finished with 22 points, 29 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks, a dominant all-around display. Najee Emanuel Williams (23, 1.95m, USA) added 17 points, while Sam Urwald (HEF) gave useful perimeter scoring with 3/7 from three, a good 42.9%.
For Bascharage, Sabotic scored 20 points and Bertolini had 14 points with an excellent 3/5 from three. Bascharage stayed alive despite modest team shooting, but Heffingen's 20 offensive rebounds and 56-40 overall rebounding edge weighed heavily. Eléazare Affa (22, 2.079m, FRA) was productive on the glass with 12 rebounds before fouling out late.
(AI generated)