US Heffingen let a remarkable start slip away in Heffingen, where Kordall Steelers took a 79-75 road win and advanced from the 1/8 finals. José Alberto Pais Costa's team opened on a 20-0 run and closed the first quarter 37-15, with Najee Emanuel Williams (23, 1.95m, USA) and Charel Oly (29, 2.00m) setting the tone.
The game changed in the second period. Antonio Alexandre Bento dos Reis Pires found more rhythm and interior production, and KDS started the quarter with 8 straight points before cutting the gap to 50-46 at halftime. Sean Patrick Conway (26, 1.93m, USA) was central in that comeback, while Blake Andrew Jones (24, 2.05m, AUS) kept finishing efficiently near the basket.
Heffingen still led 53-46 early in the third, but KDS owned the decisive stretch. From 60-58, the visitors closed the quarter on a 9-0 run for 67-60, then pushed that sequence to 14 unanswered points at 72-60 in the fourth. Jones, the game MVP, delivered 19 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block, with excellent 10/11 on 2-pointers. Conway added 22 points and 8 rebounds. Max Schmit (34, 1.80m) came close to a triple-double with 10 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds.
HEF stayed in the game through Williams, who scored 28 points with good 6/7 free throws and good 8/15 from 2-point range. Oly added 18 points and 7 rebounds, including an excellent 2/4 from three. Heffingen reduced the deficit to 74-70 and later 77-73, but KDS kept enough control late. Team statistics underline the swing: KDS shot a good 65.8% on 2-pointers, won rebounds 44-30 and produced 19 assists to HEF's 7.
(AI generated)