Second-placed AB Contern stayed unbeaten with a 100-83 win at leaders US Heffingen after a game that remained open for more than 30 minutes. Heffingen started better, led 12-8 and 20-16, and closed the first quarter 26-22 behind early scoring from Lee Bourgeois (24, 1.95m), Helder Laercio Neto (25, 1.98m, AGO) and Najee Emanuel Williams (23, 1.95m, USA).
Contern changed the rhythm in the second period. From 32-32, Nigel Tolentino's team finished the half on a 19-11 stretch and moved in front 51-43. Cameron Brooks-Harris (26, 2.00m, USA) and Borian Tymi (20, 2.00m) were at the center of that swing, while Jonas Isaiah Carlisle kept the floor spaced.
Heffingen answered well after the break. Neto brought the gap down to 57-60 with a three, and José Alberto Pais Costa's side stayed close at 62-68 going into the fourth. The decisive phase came there: at 69-73, Contern found the cleaner execution. Gabriel Solomon and Carlisle hit from outside, Brooks-Harris kept finishing inside, and the visitors pushed the margin to 82-72 and later 89-75.
Brooks-Harris, the game MVP, delivered 30 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists, with excellent 3/3 free throws and excellent 75% from 2-point range. Carlisle added 19 points and hit 5 threes, while Tymi scored 20 on a good 10/16 from 2. Christophe Mertzig added 12.
For Heffingen, Williams scored 34 points with good 65% shooting from 2-point range. Neto posted 25 points and 12 rebounds, including an excellent 3/5 from three, before fouling out after several fourth-quarter fouls. Bourgeois had 14 points on an excellent 5/6 from 2. Teamwise, Contern shot a good 65% from 2, while Heffingen was good from 2 (56%) and from 3 (36%).
(AI generated)