First-placed Sparta Bertrange controlled this qualifier return game against 10th-placed Racing Luxembourg and completed a 2-0 season sweep after the earlier 101-85 road win. Sparta also extended its current run to five straight wins, while Racing slipped to a sixth consecutive loss.
The opening was already significant. Sparta went up 7-0 through Victor Chidi Iwuakor and Victor Stein, then stayed in front all quarter. Racing answered with Steve Lanners from deep and Angelo Caruso, but Sparta still led 22-16 after 10 minutes. In the second period, Karl Abou Khalil's team pushed the margin to 30-19 and later 38-26. Racing stayed alive before halftime, trimming it to 44-33.
The game turned completely in the third quarter. Racing briefly got close enough to suggest a contest at 56-45, but Sparta then produced the decisive run: 22 unanswered points to close the period, from 56-45 to 78-45. That was the crucial stretch, and the gap later peaked at 32 points, 91-59.
Sparta's frontcourt efficiency made the difference. MVP Victor Chidi Iwuakor (Season PPG: 19.72, RPG: 9.46, AssPG: 1.46) finished with 25 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks, shooting an excellent 84.6% on 2-pointers (11/13). Jarvis Terrill Williams (36, 1.98m, USA) added 20 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists on 9/13 from 2-point range. Yannick Verbeelen (Season PPG: 10.71, RPG: 3.35, AssPG: 2.71) gave strong support with 16 points and 4 assists, while Sparta posted a good 59% from 2-point range as a team.
For Racing, Antunio Xavier Bivins (Season PPG: 26.29, RPG: 9.58, AssPG: 1.17) again carried much of the load with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Caruso added 12 points, and Lanners scored 8. Brendan Temple (Season PPG: 16.05, RPG: 10.08, AssPG: 2.88) was limited by foul trouble and fouled out, which hurt Racing's interior resistance. Racing shot only 38% on 2-pointers and 24% from 3.
(AI generated)