T71 Dudelange, now 5th after a one-place gain, stopped a three-game losing streak by beating leaders Sparta Bertrange 77-69 and avenged the 81-77 defeat from the first meeting. Sparta remained top of the classification.
The game stayed close for three quarters. Sparta started better and moved 7-0 in front, then kept a 23-21 edge after the first period. Victor Iwuakor and Yannick Verbeelen set the tone early. T71 answered in the second quarter: from 21-25 down, coach Yves Defraigne's team built a 40-37 halftime lead with Davide Grun and Jimmie Lee Taylor III driving the offense.
Sparta reacted well after the break. Max Logelin hit from outside, Verbeelen stayed productive, and Karl Abou Khalil's side turned the score to 53-49 after three quarters. Early in the fourth, Sparta still led 57-55, but that was the turning point. T71 produced a decisive 16-3 run to 71-60. Taylor created the key sequence with a free throw and then back-to-back threes. T71's biggest lead reached 12 points at 77-65. The home side also controlled the glass, 44 rebounds to 33, including 15 offensive boards, and finished with 15 assists to Sparta's 9.
Taylor III, game MVP, delivered 26 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists (Season PPG: 24.52, RPG: 6.76, AssPG: 3.00). Maurice Calloo added 18 points and 5 rebounds (Season PPG: 19.78, RPG: 6.90, AssPG: 1.30), while Grun scored 11 and Joe Kalmes also had 11.
For Sparta, Iwuakor posted 15 points, 17 rebounds and 2 blocks (Season PPG: 19.47, RPG: 9.74, AssPG: 1.48). The 36-year-old Jarvis Williams scored 20 points with an excellent 6/6 at the line, Verbeelen added 14 points and drew 9 fouls, and Tom Germeaux gave efficient support with 8 points on 1/1 from two-point range and 2/2 from three.
(AI generated)