Musel Pikes won a one-possession game over Kordall Steelers, 80-79, in the last qualification round. The standings did not move: KDS stayed 8th, MUS 11th. Musel also stretched its run to three straight wins, while Kordall's four-game winning streak ended.
Kordall controlled the opening phase and built the game's biggest lead at 29-13 late in the first quarter. Steve Kuhlmann, Erik Timko and Robertas Jonaitis set the tone early, and the Steelers were still in front 46-45 at halftime. Their shot selection was efficient: 17/33 from 2-point range (51.5%) and 13/37 from 3-point range (35.1%), both in the good range.
The third quarter kept that pattern. Jonaitis and Timko pushed KDS to 65-54, and Kordall still led 77-67 in the fourth after Konan Oth picked up P, then P2, then T1 in quick succession. That was a key moment, but Musel answered with an 11-0 run to go ahead 78-77. Timko briefly restored the Steelers' lead at 79-78 before Everette Hammond IV made the last two free throws for the winner after a late foul by Jalen Reynolds, who fouled out.
For Musel, the 28-year-old 2.01m American Jaylen Key (Season PPG: 19.70, RPG: 8.29, AssPG: 1.07) led with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Hammond IV (Season PPG: 19.00, RPG: 5.00, AssPG: 3.00) added 20 points, including 7/8 free throws. Sam Streef gave 13 points, and Tom Welter (Season PPG: 8.55, RPG: 2.61, AssPG: 4.29) had 8 points and 9 assists.
For Kordall, Timko, the 24-year-old 1.93m American guard (Season PPG: 28.33, RPG: 6.40, AssPG: 2.00), scored 25 points. Jonaitis posted 18 points and 8 rebounds. Official MVP Gianluca Pellegrino Ombi (Season PPG: 15.26, RPG: 6.68, AssPG: 4.64) filled the sheet with 11 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. Musel's edge came from ball security and creation: 8 turnovers to 16, and 18 assists to 12.
(AI generated)