Arantia Larochette won 94-85 at Résidence Walferdange after controlling the key stretches of a game that stayed open deep into the fourth quarter.
Résidence started sharply with a 7-0 burst, but Arantia settled quickly, erased that opening gap and moved in front 22-19 after the first period. The home side briefly regained rhythm in the second quarter and went up 35-34, yet Karolis Abramavicius' team closed the half better to lead 42-38.
The decisive acceleration came just after the break. From 42-39, Arantia produced a 10-0 run to 52-39, with Tyrell Sturdivant and Kevon Godwin driving the surge. Walferdange answered late in the third and cut it to 56-64, then Rainer Kloss' team pushed again in the last quarter. Brendan Bailey (Season PPG: 22.73, RPG: 9.39, AssPG: 1.39) and Oliver Vujakovic (Season PPG: 14.95, RPG: 6.12, AssPG: 2.52) helped turn 64-56 into a 72-71 lead.
That was the crucial moment. Arantia immediately replied with a 7-0 run to 78-72, then extended again to 88-76. Walferdange never fully recovered.
Sturdivant, the game MVP, was outstanding with 28 points and 13 rebounds, including excellent 8/11 from three and 4/4 from the line. Michael Carter III (Season PPG: 23.05, RPG: 5.12, AssPG: 3.20) added 19 points, 7 rebounds and excellent 2/3 from deep. Godwin contributed 17 points and 6 assists, with excellent 11/12 free throws. Edson De Sousa Silva scored 13.
For Résidence, John Clark Slajchert (Season PPG: 27.05, RPG: 5.43, AssPG: 3.50) finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Vujakovic added 24 points and 8 rebounds. Bailey posted 22 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks before fouling out.
Arantia's team shooting stood out at the foul line: an excellent 30/32 (93.8%).
(AI generated)