Basket Esch leveled the season match-up with Sparta Bertrange by winning 92-70 at home, after losing the first meeting 62-86. Esch stopped a run of four defeats, while Sparta's strong rhythm was broken.
Sparta had the better start. Jarvis Terrill Williams and Victor Chidi Iwuakor put the visitors in front early, and Bertrange built an 11-point lead at 13-24. They still controlled the game at halftime, 35-31. The turning point came around the break: Esch closed the second quarter with 8 straight points, then opened the third with a 5-0 burst to move ahead 36-35. From 49-45, the home side added 9 unanswered points, with Nelson driving the surge, and the third quarter became decisive at 36-17. Esch's lead later reached 25 points at 90-65.
MVP Quinten Gregory Dee Nelson (Season PPG: 20.73, RPG: 5.33, AssPG: 3.81) finished with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Clancy Mac Rugg (Season PPG: 19.90, RPG: 8.83, AssPG: 2.92) added 21 points and 7 rebounds. Jordan Hicks (Season % 1P:88.24, 2P:60.69, 3P:35.56) scored 14 points with an excellent 5/5 on free throws and 4 steals. Dino Ceman (Season PPG: 6.60, RPG: 4.76, AssPG: 3.08) had 11 points, while Emmanuel Jesus Frederico (17, 2.00m, CPV; Season PPG: 2.48, RPG: 3.39, AssPG: 0.09) gave 8 useful points inside.
For Sparta, Iwuakor (Season PPG: 19.47, RPG: 9.57, AssPG: 1.50) posted 20 points and 2 blocks, Williams (36, 1.98m, USA; Season PPG: 22.45, RPG: 6.17, AssPG: 2.28) had 18 points and 7 rebounds, and Max Logelin (Season PPG: 16.43, RPG: 5.72, AssPG: 3.50) added 10 points.
Esch shot a good 88.9% at the line and a good 65.0% from 2-point range. Sparta was at 50.0% on free throws and 57.9% on 2-pointers. Basket Esch also led in assists (18-10), steals (12-6) and ball security, with only 10 turnovers against 16.
(AI generated)