Sparta Bertrange, first in the qualification standings, beat 11th-placed Musel Pikes 87-54 and stretched their winning run to three games. Musel's skid is now 15 straight losses.
The game began against the script. Musel opened 9-0, with Jaylen Key and Sam Streef setting the tone, and Sparta's Tom Germeaux immediately picked up two fouls. Karl Abou Khalil's team then changed the rhythm completely: Sparta closed the first quarter on a 15-2 run to move from 0-9 to 15-11.
The second quarter widened the gap. Sparta found much more offensive balance, led by Max Logelin (Season PPG: 16.58, RPG: 5.79, AssPG: 3.59) and Yannick Verbeelen (Season PPG: 10.00, RPG: 3.38, AssPG: 2.69), and went to halftime up 42-27. Logelin finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists, while Verbeelen added 18 points on an excellent 5/5 from 2-point range.
The decisive stretch came after the break. Sparta won the third period 22-8 and pushed the margin to 29 points at 64-35. Victor Iwuakor (Season PPG: 19.19, RPG: 9.13, AssPG: 1.54) was strong inside with 13 points, 9 rebounds and an excellent 5/6 on 2-pointers. Sparta's biggest lead reached 33.
Musel had a brief 5-0 start to the fourth quarter, forcing a timeout at 64-40, but never threatened the result. Everette Hammond IV (26, 1.91m, USA) was the main bright spot with 18 points and a good 6/10 from 2-point range. Key scored 10, Streef had 10, and Abram Macalou (MUS) gave useful late production with 7 points.
Sparta's statistical edge was clear: 61% on 2-pointers against 45%, 46 rebounds against 29, and only 9 turnovers against 17. Germeaux, despite early foul trouble, still gave Sparta 9 points and 5 rebounds before fouling out late.
(AI generated)