Arantia Larochette beat T71 Dudelange 93-79 in the qualification round, controlling the game through a strong middle stretch. After a balanced first quarter (25-21) built on early answers from Tyrell Sturdivant and Jonas Levickas to Mekhi Long's opening burst, Arantia broke the game open in the second period. Sturdivant opened the quarter with a three and Michael Anthony Carter III strung together consecutive scoring plays, fueling a 27-15 quarter and a 52-36 halftime lead. The margin peaked at +19 (67-48) during the third.
T71 reacted after the break despite an unsportsmanlike foul on Ivan Do Rosario Delgado at the start of Q3. Jimmie Lee Taylor III's shot-making (31 points) pushed a 25-21 quarter for the visitors, trimming it to 73-61. Early in Q4, Derek Wilson and Kevon Lamar Godwin re-established a 16-point cushion, and Sturdivant's late free throws plus a triple, followed by an Edson De Sousa Silva three, kept Arantia clear to the finish.
Arantia's efficiency was a separator: 80% at the line, 70% on twos and 36.8% from deep (all good by threshold). T71 stayed behind those marks (74% FT, 48% 2P, 32.4% 3P). On the glass, Arantia owned the defensive boards (33), finishing +4 overall, and led in assists (16-11).
Imports led the hosts: Sturdivant posted a 23-point, 16-rebound double-double; Carter (Season PPG: 23.09) had 26 with 11/12 FT and 5 assists; Godwin (25, 1.88m, USA; Season PPG: 20.42) added 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Among the locals, De Sousa Silva (Season PPG: 11.54) chipped in 9.
For T71, Taylor (Season PPG: 21.75) delivered 31 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, and Long (Season PPG: 16.67) added 19 and 9 rebounds. Delgado scored 12 but committed the Q3 unsportsmanlike; Joe Kalmes had 5. Coach Karolis Abramavicius' team has now won five of its last six, while Yves André Defraigne's side has dropped four of the last five.
(AI generated)