Arantia Larochette answered well after its previous defeat and completed a second win this season over Kordall Steelers, 118-101, after the 101-85 road success in the first meeting.
Karolis Abramavicius' team took control early. KDS opened 4-0 and was still up 8-6, but Arantia changed the rhythm quickly and closed the first quarter with a strong 25-11 spell for 31-19. Kevon Lamar Godwin scored six straight points in that phase. The gap then grew to 41-19 in the second period before Kordall settled and reduced the damage to 60-46 at halftime.
The visitors stayed in contact through Erik Thomas Timko (Season PPG: 28.33, RPG: 6.31, AssPG: 1.94), Andre Jerald Anu Snoddy (Season PPG: 19.33, RPG: 9.47, AssPG: 2.53) and Gianluca Pellegrino Ombroni (Season PPG: 15.26, RPG: 6.73, AssPG: 4.54). Pellegrino's three made it 65-59 in the third quarter, but Arantia answered again and rebuilt a 15-point cushion at 82-67.
Kordall made one last push in the fourth with 9 unanswered points, from 83-67 to 83-76. Arantia stopped that run immediately with a three from 19-year-old Edson Rafael De Sousa Silva, 1.88m from Portugal. Later, Godwin took over with 11 consecutive home points, stretching the score from 98-91 to 109-94. The hosts reached a highest lead of 19 late in the game.
Offensive efficiency was decisive. Arantia shot 32/38 on free throws (84.2%), 31/42 on 2-pointers (73.8%, excellent), and 8/21 from three (38.1%, good). Godwin (Season PPG: 22.76, RPG: 3.27, AssPG: 4.15) and Michael Anthony Carter III (Season PPG: 23.05, RPG: 5.04, AssPG: 3.29) shared MVP honours with 35 and 26 points. De Sousa Silva added 23 points. For KDS, Timko had 29, Snoddy 21 and Robertas Jonaitis (Season PPG: 23.23, RPG: 9.55, AssPG: 1.31) scored 19. Kordall was productive inside too at 55.6% from two, but its 30.4% from three and 16 turnovers hurt its comeback chances.
(AI generated)