Musel Pikes, now 9th at 1-1, edged 11th-placed T71 Dudelange 82-77 after overtime in a tight qualification game. Philip Dejworek's team had to come back more than once against a T71 side that led for long stretches.
T71 started well behind Uros Malesevic (20, 1.95m), who gave the visitors early momentum with his outside shooting. Musel answered an opening 0-3 deficit with 7 straight points, but T71 still closed the first quarter ahead and pushed the margin to 36-31 late in the second period. The visitors reached their highest lead at 42-35 in the third.
The key stretch of regulation came when Musel turned 35-42 into 47-46 with a 12-4 run. Johan Bouttet (26, 1.85m, FRA) hit from outside, Julian Hammond III (23, 1.88m, USA) attacked the paint, and the game shifted. The fourth quarter stayed on one-possession terms. At 63-65, Bouttet tied it at 65-65 to force the extra period.
In overtime, T71 moved in front again at 71-68 through Domenick Sleva (28, USA), but Musel responded with 8 unanswered points to go 76-71, with Bouttet's three and strong interior finishing proving decisive. Hammond then closed the game from the line.
Hammond led Musel with 28 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists, while drawing 11 fouls and shooting a good 75% on free throws. Enzo Sanna (21, 1.92m) added 13 points with excellent 75% from 2-point range and 50% from three. Bouttet also scored 13 and was excellent inside at 3/3 on 2-pointers. Sam Streef added 10.
For Yves Defraigne's side, Jimmie Lee Taylor III (32, 1.98m, USA) produced 30 points and 7 rebounds. Malesevic scored 21 and shot an excellent 5/9 from 3-point range. Sleva added 15 points and 9 rebounds. T71 lost Dino Ceman, Malesevic and Taylor on fouls late. As a team, Musel was good on 2-pointers at 23/43 (53%).
(AI generated)