Racing Luxembourg overpowered AB Contern 77-66 at Contern/Central in front of 208 spectators (160 paying), building the win early and controlling the interior. The visitors took a 22-10 first quarter and, after Contern had closed to 26-28 in Q2, ripped a 13-0 run to 41-26. Antunio Xavier Bivins (USA) fueled that surge with 13 points in a blistering spell, and Racing reached halftime up 45-28, the game's highest lead (+17).
Contern reacted after the break. A Joshua Ferguson three opened Q3 and, with Landon Lowder pushing the pace, the hosts won the period 21-15 to trail 49-60 entering the fourth. The last quarter stayed balanced (17-17). Steve Lanners was whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul, but Bivins kept answering in the paint and Racing closed out.
Numbers underline the story: Racing hit a good 50.9% on 2-pointers (28/55) but just 14.3% from three (2/14) and 62.5% at the line (15/24). Contern shot 46.7% on twos (21/45), 30% from deep (6/20) and 60% FT (6/10). The visitors owned the glass (44-32, including 15 offensive boards) and won the turnover battle (18 vs 22), while Contern's 20 assists to Racing's 11 could not compensate for lost possessions.
Top performers: for Racing's non-locals, Bivins piled up 35 points, 10 rebounds and a block (56.5% on 2s), and Brendan Temple added a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double. Flenard Whitfield (35, 2.05m) contributed 9 points. Among the locals, Lanners had 7 points including a three, Angelo Caruso 4. For Contern's non-locals, Lowder (Season PPG: 23.4, RPG: 3.6, AssPG: 4.2) produced 18 points and 7 assists with 5/8 on twos and 2/2 FTs, while Ferguson (Season PPG: 19.0, RPG: 12.28, AssPG: 1.94) delivered 15 points, 15 rebounds and 2/2 from three, topping the game's efficiency ranking. Among the locals, Jeffrey Schumacher scored 12 (6/10 on twos) and Olivier Summer added 8.
Coach Uros Niksic's team won the paint and the boards; Coach Anthony Franck Tomba's side moved the ball but paid for turnovers. Contern's difficult run continues.
(AI generated)