US Heffingen won game 1 of this best-of-3 barrage, 89-79 at home, and takes a 1-0 lead. In a close game for more than two quarters, the break came after halftime.
Musel started better and led 21-19 after 10 minutes, with Sam Streef, Tom Welter and Everette Hammond IV giving early scoring. Guy Schmit's team stayed in front for most of the second quarter and was up 44-41 at the break after a strong finish to the half.
The turning point came in the third period. Musel still led 48-45, but Heffingen answered with a 20-6 run to move in front 65-54. Lee Bourgeois (23, 1.95m) and Gerry Schuder Minden (19) gave important local production in that stretch, while Austin Parker III (26, 1.96m, USA) and Thomas Quarry (26, 2.01m, USA) controlled the paint. Heffingen then opened the last quarter with five straight points from Jacob Washington (26, USA) for 68-58 and later stretched the margin to 89-73, its biggest lead at 16, before Musel closed with 6 unanswered points.
Heffingen's efficiency made the difference: a good 62.5% on 2-pointers and a good 38.5% from 3, compared with Musel's 45.3% on 2s and 21.9% on 3s. Both teams were below good level at the foul line.
Parker III was the MVP with 22 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks, shooting an excellent 5/5 on 2-pointers and 2/3 from deep. Washington added 26 points and 10 rebounds. For Musel, Jaylen Key (Season PPG: 21.18, RPG: 10.3, AssPG: 1.48) had 24 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists, Hammond IV (Season PPG: 21.33, RPG: 5.47, AssPG: 2.47) scored 18, and Enzo Sanna (Season PPG: 2.25, RPG: 2.3, AssPG: 0.27) finished with 17.
(AI generated)