T71 Dudelange edged Racing Luxembourg 87-81 at tramsschap/central, turning an eight-point deficit after three quarters into a road win. The game swung repeatedly: T71 started 23-20 up, but Adam Radomirovic's side surged with a dominant 27-10 second quarter, building a 47-33 halftime lead and stretching it to a game-high +16 (47-31). Yves André Defraigne's team stayed in touch in the third behind Jimmie Lee Taylor III, who poured in 12 points in that period, trimming it to 64-56.
The fourth belonged to the visitors. Joe Kalmes opened with a three, and Ivan Do Rosario Delgado nailed back-to-back triples to level at 67-67, an 8-0 burst. Racing briefly restored control through Antunio Xavier Bivins, but Christopher David Jack hit the tying three for 80-80, then added four straight free throws as T71 closed on a 12-1 run (from 80-77 down) to seal it.
Shooting shaped the outcome: both teams were good on twos (RAC 54%, T71 53%), but Racing's 52% at the line (12/23) and 33% from deep hurt in crunch time versus T71's 64% FT (16/25). Turnovers also weighed (RAC 20, T71 13).
Standouts
- Racing (imports): Bivins (33, 1.99m, USA) led all scorers with 31 points, including 8/10 FT and timely fourth-quarter baskets. Brendan Adam Temple (Season PPG: 16.44, RPG: 10.57, AssPG: 2.62) posted a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
- Racing (domestic core): Max Hilger added 12, Flenard Whitfield 10 inside.
- T71 (imports): Taylor III (Season PPG: 23.41, RPG: 7.52, AssPG: 1.14) finished with 21 and drove the third-quarter push; Maurice Calloo (16) was steady, hitting from all levels.
- T71 (domestic core): Delgado (Season PPG: 10.21, RPG: 4.50, AssPG: 3.56) delivered 20 and crucial fourth-quarter threes and free throws; Kalmes (12) hit a momentum three early in the fourth; Jack added 7, including the tying triple and late free throws despite an unsportsmanlike foul in the third.
T71 sit fifth (11-7) and are back to winning ways; Racing are eighth (5-13) and their slide extends to three straight defeats. Attendance: 125 (110 paying).
(AI generated)