Basket Esch handled T71 Dudelange 82-45 in the qualification phase, completing a 2-0 sweep of the season series (the first meeting ended 87-66). Under coach Franck Meriguet, Esch jumped in front early and never looked back. After T71 tied it 6-7, Esch strung together a 15-0 burst to 22-6 keyed by Clancy Rugg (34, 2.03m) inside touches and Quinten Nelson's range. The visitors then opened the second quarter with an 8-0 spurt to 32-12, taking a 46-23 halftime lead. Any hopes of a comeback faded when Esch pushed it to 57-29 in the third behind two Nelson triples; the largest margin reached +37 at the finish.
Numbers told the story: Esch hit 88% at the line (15/17, good), while T71 struggled across the board (FT 9/17, 2P 12/28, 3P 4/21). Turnovers were decisive T71 gave up 24, while Esch committed 12 and collected 12 steals.
Rugg (Season PPG: 19.54, RPG: 8.75, AssPG: 2.33) led with 21 points, 4 steals and steady shot-making. Nelson (Season PPG: 21.31, RPG: 5.75, AssPG: 4.25) added 19 with 4 threes and 3 assists, and Jordan Hicks (35, 2.01m, USA; Season PPG: 14.62) chipped in 15. Jeffry Monteiro Neves battled on the glass (9 rebounds). For T71, coach Yves André Defraigne's best answers were Joe Kalmes (Season PPG: 14.54, RPG: 7.00) with 12 points and 9 rebounds, Ivan Do Rosario Delgado (Season PPG: 10.33) with 11, and Christopher Jack (Season PPG: 8.31) with 8; Finn Reisdorffer added 8 boards.
Context matters: Esch dressed two professional players while T71 had none, a disparity that weighed on the matchup's balance. In the table, Esch climbs to 4th (8-5, +1), their second straight win, while T71 sits 5th (7-6).
(AI generated)