Arantia Larochette won 96-85 over Racing Luxembourg in a game that stayed competitive for three quarters before the home side created enough separation late. Racing opened better, going 8-0 and then 12-4 behind Malcolm Richardson and Kley Cirikovic. After an early timeout by coach Alves Brandao de Sousa, Arantia settled, attacked inside more efficiently and turned the first quarter around to lead 26-21.
The second quarter had several swings. Racing, carried by Antunio Bivins (Season PPG: 23.14, RPG: 6.22, AssPG: 1.67) and Richardson (Season PPG: 11.33, RPG: 7.88, AssPG: 5.75), moved in front 40-39 and later 46-43. Arantia answered each time through Joshua McClary (Season PPG: 19.57, RPG: 5.78, AssPG: 3.33) and reached halftime up 49-46.
The key phase came in the third quarter. Vic Heuschling (Season PPG: 11.29, RPG: 4.78, AssPG: 1.44) scored 7 straight points, and Arantia later transformed a 65-62 lead into 74-63. Alan Genoud's late three gave extra breathing room. In the fourth, Racing could not come back from that stretch, and Arantia's lead reached 13 points.
Michael Imariagbe, the 24-year-old 2.01m USA forward/center (Season PPG: 20.17, RPG: 9.38, AssPG: 2.38), was decisive with 23 points and 12 rebounds, shooting an excellent 11/14 from two. McClary added 22, while Heuschling finished with 15 on excellent shooting: 2/2 FT, 5/6 from two, 1/1 from three. Edson De Sousa Silva added 13. Arantia also made the difference on the boards, 48 rebounds to 26, with 19 offensive rebounds, and posted good 63% shooting from two.
Racing, now on a four-game losing streak, stayed alive through Bivins' 32 points and Richardson's 24. Richardson was especially efficient with excellent 5/5 FT and 5/5 from two.
(AI generated)