Kordall Steelers edged Mambra Mamer 91-84 in Niederkorn and split the season series at 1-1. KDS is now on a 3-game winning streak. Antonio Bento dos Reis Pires' team set the tone with a 7-0 start, but Mamer reacted well and stayed in touch at 25-22 after the first quarter.
The hosts created the first real gap in the second period. From 27-25, KDS moved to 35-27, and even when Darko Ristic's team answered through Alan Bedirhanoglu and Domenick Sleva, Kordall kept its rhythm behind Robertas Jonaitis (Season PPG: 23.60, RPG: 9.73, AssPG: 1.46) and Erik Timko (Season PPG: 28.90, RPG: 6.62, AssPG: 1.77) to lead 55-47 at halftime.
Mamer's best stretch came after the break, when it cut the deficit to 63-60. That was a crucial moment: Gianluca Pellegrino Ombroni (Season PPG: 15.47, RPG: 6.61, AssPG: 4.61) scored inside, Sleva was charged with an unsportsmanlike foul, and Jonaitis converted the free throws for 71-63. Early in the fourth quarter, KDS reached its highest lead at 75-65.
Mamer stayed alive behind Sleva (Season PPG: 25.50, RPG: 15.38, AssPG: 2.88), Terry Winn III (Season PPG: 20.31, RPG: 11.11, AssPG: 2.95) and Bedirhanoglu (Season PPG: 13.74, RPG: 4.67, AssPG: 2.50). Maid Adrovic (Season PPG: 13.16, RPG: 3.50, AssPG: 1.92) was excellent from three-point range at 4/6 and brought Mamer back to 89-84 late, but KDS closed from the line.
Jonaitis was the MVP with 35 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 4/6 from deep and an excellent 5/5 on free throws. Timko added 29 points. Jalen Reynolds (26, 1.98m, USA) gave KDS 12 points on an excellent 6/7 from two before fouling out. Teamwise, KDS made the difference with 58.5% on 2-pointers, a good 88.9% at the line, and a clear assist edge, 20 to 6.
(AI generated)