Basket Esch won a close opening-round game against Résidence Walferdange, 78-74, and moved into 1st place of the qualification table, with Résidence 2nd after one match.
Rainer Kloss's team started better. Dean Gindt (35, 2.01m) scored 8 of Résidence's first 10 points, and the visitors built their biggest lead at 20-10 before ending the first quarter ahead 23-18. Basket Esch, coached by Franck Meriguet, changed the momentum early in the second period: two threes by Felix Jaime Jenn (28, 0.00m) helped a 10-4 run for a 28-27 lead. Résidence answered again and went back in front 39-31, but Esch closed the half with 6 straight points to trim it to 39-37.
The third quarter stayed balanced. Résidence opened with 5 unanswered points for 44-37, but Quinten Nelson (27, 1.85m, USA) gave Esch fresh pace and scored 8 points in the period. The home side turned a 49-53 deficit into a 56-53 lead. In the fourth, Walferdange still led 60-56 and later 69-67, before Esch produced the decisive 7-0 run through Jordan Hicks (36, 2.01m, USA) and Damien Thill (23, 1.90m) to reach 74-69.
Clancy Rugg (34, 2.03m) was central for Esch with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 9/9 free throws, plus excellent 4/5 on 2-pointers and 2/3 on 3-pointers. Hicks added 20 points with an excellent 4/6 from long range, and Nelson finished with 14. For Résidence, Demarkus Stuckey Jr (31, 1.82m, USA) scored 31, Desean Hampton (27, 1.93m, USA) posted 14 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists, and shot an excellent 9/9 from 2-point range.
Teamwise, Esch had good 3-point shooting at 37.5% and 18 assists. Résidence shot well from 2-point range at 55.3% and also well from 3 at 36.4%, but its 8/19 free throws were a major factor in a four-point loss.
(AI generated)