T71 Dudelange, now 1st after a gain of 7 places, took a close 83-78 home win over 8th-placed AS Soleuvre and stretched its recovery to two straight wins after opening the season with two losses.
Eric Bettini's team controlled the first half. Soleuvre won the first quarter 25-14, then pushed the margin to 19 points at 18-37 and still led 49-37 at the break. Gerald Maurice Drumgoole (25, 1.98m, USA) set the tone with 29 points, 8 rebounds and 10/11 free throws, adding an excellent 3/5 from deep. Gilles Weis (31, 1.85m) gave strong support with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, while Christian Jeffrey Parker (24, 2.00m, USA) added 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The game turned after halftime. Yves Defraigne's side won the third quarter 29-18 and came back from 50-64 to 66-67 with a 16-3 surge. Domenick Sleva (28, 1.98m, USA) was the central figure with 28 points, 9 rebounds and an excellent 10/13 on 2-pointers. Jimmie Lee Taylor III (32, 1.98m, USA) followed with 23 points, 8 received fouls and perfect 6/6 free throws, while Christopher David Jack (28, 1.98m) hit 3/9 from long range for 11 points.
Early in the fourth, T71 moved in front at 69-67 and 71-67, but Soleuvre answered to tie at 73-73. The finish stayed tight until the last minute. Sleva scored inside and then added two free throws for 81-78, before Denell Devonn Stephens (40, 1.93m, USA) sealed it with the final two points. T71's team shooting made the difference: an excellent 22/24 on free throws and a good 20/38 on 2-pointers, against Soleuvre's 17/23 and 20/46. Finn Reisdorffer also gave T71 10 points before fouling out.
(AI generated)