T71 Dudelange edged Arantia Larochette 92-90 and closed this best-of-3 quarterfinal 2-0, qualifying for the semifinals while Arantia was eliminated. After losing both qualification meetings to Larochette, Yves André Defraigne's team has now taken both playoff games. T71 is also on a 3-game winning run, while Arantia has lost its last 3.
The game changed several times. T71 opened better and led 27-18 after one quarter, with Maurice Calloo (Season PPG: 20.55, RPG: 7.47, AssPG: 1.33), the 27-year-old 2.03m American, scoring 8 points in a row during that first push. Arantia answered with a strong second period, 27-17, and turned the game at 45-44 by halftime. Michael Carter III (Season PPG: 23.41, RPG: 4.74, AssPG: 3.32) kept drawing contact, while Kevon Godwin (Season PPG: 22.83, RPG: 3.3, AssPG: 4.39) gave Karolis Abramavicius' side real offensive rhythm.
Godwin, the game MVP, finished with 32 points and excellent shooting: 6/6 free throws, 5/11 on 2-pointers and 6/14 from 3-point range. Carter added 25 points, 5 assists and 7 fouls received. Arantia's best moment came late in the third at 64-60, its biggest lead.
T71 stayed composed through Jimmie Lee Taylor III (Season PPG: 24.26, RPG: 6.63, AssPG: 2.97) and Ivan do Rosario Delgado (Season PPG: 8.95, RPG: 4.17, AssPG: 3.54). From 64-66 in the fourth, T71 produced 9 straight points to go 73-66, then later reached 88-81. Arantia still came back to 91-90 and 92-90 in the final seconds.
Taylor posted 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Do Rosario had 17 points and 6 assists. Calloo scored 20 despite fouling out. T71 shot well in all areas: 75% FT, 63.3% on 2-pointers and 39.4% from three. Arantia was excellent at the line at 92% and good on 2-pointers at 54.1%, but finished at 25% from long range.
(AI generated)