Arantia Larochette moved up to 1st place after a 102-90 home win over Sparta Bertrange, while Sparta dropped to 3rd and saw its three-game winning streak end.
Daniel Alves Brandao de Sousa's team imposed the tempo early. Arantia opened 14-2, with Vic Heuschling and 24-year-old, 2.01m USA forward/center Michael Esosa Imariagbe setting the tone, then pushed the margin to 18-2. Sparta answered through Yannick Verbeelen and Max Logelin, but Arantia still closed the first quarter ahead 30-19.
Sparta came back step by step in the second period. Avelon Luke John Jr and Logelin reduced the gap to 35-27, and later Sparta got as close as 50-46 before halftime. The key stretch came in the third quarter. After Sparta had cut the score to 61-57, Arantia answered with a strong 20-8 finish to the period, including consecutive threes by Heuschling, to build an 81-65 advantage. Karl Abou Khalil's side made another push in the last quarter, down to 91-84 and later 97-90, but Joshua Robinson McClary finished the job with the final 5 home points.
McClary (Season PPG: 19.83, RPG: 5.86, AssPG: 3.43) was the game MVP with 26 points and 10 assists. Heuschling (Season PPG: 12.67, RPG: 4.57, AssPG: 1.14) added 21 points with an excellent 4/7 from three. Edson Rafael De Sousa Silva scored 18 on an excellent 7/9 from two, and Tyrell Sturdivant contributed 14 points and 9 rebounds.
For Sparta, Jarvis Terrill Williams (Season PPG: 20.67, RPG: 5.88, AssPG: 2.13) produced 27 points, with excellent 6/6 free throws and 3/5 from three. John Jr added 18 points and 7 rebounds, Verbeelen scored 14, and Victor Stein had 12 on excellent shooting.
Arantia posted good team shooting: 81% FT, 57% from two and 41% from three, with only 9 turnovers. Sparta was excellent at the line (94%) and good from two (59%) and three (36%), but Arantia had the better control of the decisive runs.
(AI generated)