Racing Luxembourg edged Kordall Steelers 107-105 in a swing-heavy qualifier before 90 spectators in Tramsschapp. Racing raced to a 35-29 first quarter and built a 20point cushion (59-39) in Q2 behind Antunio Xavier Bivins (Season PPG: 25.77, RPG: 6.58, AssPG: 2.58). A U2 on Andre Snoddy in the second quarter yielded two Bivins free throws during that surge.
Kordall flipped the game after halftime with a 34-16 third quarter, fueled by Snoddy (Season PPG: 19.63, RPG: 10.25, AssPG: 2.88) and Erik Thomas Timko (23, 1.93m, USA). From 65-48, KDS produced a 32-11 blitz to lead 80-76 entering the fourth, helped by consecutive scoring bursts from Snoddy and triples by Timko.
Racing answered with a 6-0 start to the fourth and, in a tense finish, Bivins strung together seven late points (free throws, a three and a two) to turn 95-100 into 104-100. KDS replied Gianluca Pellegrino Ombroni (Season PPG: 16.18, RPG: 6.00, AssPG: 3.69) hit two free throws, Timko drilled a three for 104-105 before Steve Lanners (Season PPG: 11.46, RPG: 3.50, AssPG: 0.58) buried the game-winning three for 107-105.
Bivins delivered an MVP line of 37 points, drawing nine fouls and shooting at an excellent clip (2P 13/17, 3P 2/4). Brendan Adam Temple (Season PPG: 16.46, RPG: 10.83, AssPG: 0.83) was perfect inside (9/9 on 2s) for 21 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists before fouling out in the fourth. Among the local core, Lanners added 17 and Max Hilger chipped in.
For Kordall, Snoddy posted 22 points and 10 rebounds, Timko 27, Pellegrino Ombroni 21 and Robertas Jonaitis (Season PPG: 24.69, RPG: 10.13, AssPG: 1.33) 18. KDS shot a good split across the board (FT 22/26=85%, 2P 51%, 3P 35%) and generated 12 steals, but Racing dominated the paint (2P 36/52=69%) and the glass (40 rebounds; 24 assists).
Racing splits the head-to-head after losing the first meeting 89-101 and climbs to 8th (+2) in the table; Kordall slips to 9th (-1) and has dropped two straight. Coach Adam Radomirovic's side moved the ball better (24 assists to 10), while Antonio Alexandre Bento dos Reis Pires' team nearly stole it late through perimeter shot-making.
(AI generated)