First-placed Etzella Ettelbruck, on a four-game winning streak, took a close 87-85 road win at Musel Pikes. Musel suffered a second straight loss and slipped to 7th place.
Game evolution was clear in two very different halves. Musel scored first, but Etzella answered with 13 straight points and never let the opening quarter get away from them. The visitors led 23-14 after 10 minutes, then widened the gap with a strong second period to 52-31 at halftime, their biggest lead being 21 points. Their spacing mattered: Etzella shot 12/31 from three, a good 38.7%.
Gavin Love's team had several drivers. Travis Henson (Season PPG: 20.86, RPG: 4.11, AssPG: 1.56) scored 22, Deantoni Gordon (Season PPG: 14.86, RPG: 5.50, AssPG: 1.38) posted 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Philippe Gutenkauf (Season PPG: 14.67, RPG: 4.38, AssPG: 9.00) controlled the game with 13 assists. Tim Schomer (Season PPG: 5.57, RPG: 1.56, AssPG: 0.67) changed the bench impact with 3/4 from deep, an excellent 75%.
Musel, coached by Philip Dejworek, turned the game after the break. The home side won the third quarter 30-13 and cut 34-54 to 56-61. Julian Hammond III (Season PPG: 30.57, RPG: 7.56, AssPG: 5.56) and 2.03m American Kyle Johnson (Season PPG: 20.57, RPG: 16.33, AssPG: 2.50) led that surge. Johnson, the game MVP, finished with 25 points, 22 rebounds and 4 blocks, while Hammond added 28 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Johan Bouttet (Season PPG: 7.71, RPG: 1.44, AssPG: 1.44) gave Musel elite shooting at 4/5 from three, an excellent 80%.
Etzella rebuilt an 82-70 lead, but Musel got back to 85-86 on Johnson's late three. Henson's last free throw became the winning point in the final seconds.
(AI generated)