Kordall Steelers edged Etzella Ettelbruck 85-82 in Niederkuer and tied this best-of-3 quarter-final 1-1, so game 3 will decide the series. KDS stopped a two-game losing run, while ETZ saw a seven-game winning streak end.
Etzella started well at 5-0 and twice built a six-point first-half lead. KDS answered by closing the opening quarter on a 5-0 run to move in front 26-25. In the second period, ETZ went from 28-25 to 40-34 behind Nicholas Thomas Davis (Season PPG: 21.26, RPG: 10.03, AssPG: 1.73) and Thomas Henkel (Season % 1P:77.78, 2P:43.18, 3P:42.74), but the Steelers recovered and led 43-42 at halftime.
The third quarter was a key phase. Adrian Jermaine Delph (Season PPG: 21.50, RPG: 6.54, AssPG: 3.24) put ETZ back ahead 45-43, then KDS answered with a 10-3 run to 53-48. Erik Thomas Timko (Season PPG: 27.29, RPG: 6.96, AssPG: 1.96) was decisive there, scoring seven straight points across the quarter break. KDS later reached its highest lead at 66-59.
Etzella still had another push. Billy Ray Mc Daniel Jr (Season PPG: 12.00, RPG: 6.34, AssPG: 1.58), the 41-year-old American, helped ETZ take a 78-75 lead in the fourth. KDS replied through Steve Kuhlmann (Season PPG: 7.04, RPG: 2.77, AssPG: 0.63), who hit consecutive threes, and Robertas Jonaitis (Season PPG: 22.63, RPG: 9.61, AssPG: 1.47), who made it 83-80. Davis cut it to 83-82 before fouling out late, and Timko sealed the final margin from the line.
KDS had the stronger inside volume: 50 rebounds to 32 and 19 assists to 10. Their 11/13 free throws were good at 84.6%, while ETZ finished 10/19. Jalen Alan Reynolds (Season PPG: 16.29, RPG: 8.29, AssPG: 1.14), the game MVP, posted 18 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. Timko scored 25, Jonaitis 20, Kuhlmann 17. For ETZ, Davis had 21, Delph 19 and Henkel 16 with an excellent 4/5 from three.
(AI generated)