Bascharage Hedgehogs controlled Nitia Bettembourg 91-60 in the M-Nationale 2 qualification round, pulling away after a balanced first quarter (18-20). The game turned in the second period: Bascharage opened on a 12-0 run to 18-32, powered by Aziz Ndiaye and Jeffrey Early Jr., and stretched it to 18-35. Nitia's timeout did not stem the tide, and Bascharage led comfortably at the break. In the third, Veljko Dragasevic struck back-to-back threes to push the gap beyond twenty; the highest lead reached +35 at 56-91 in the fourth.
Bascharage's efficiency was the separator: 66% on 2-pointers (good) and 38% from three (good), plus a 46-26 rebounding dominance and 24 team assists. Ndiaye (29 years, 2.03m, SEN) was MVP with 21 points on 10/12 from two (excellent), 13 rebounds and 4 blocks. Early Jr. (Season PPG: 26.69, RPG: 7.94, AssPG: 3.59) added 23 points, 13 boards, 5 assists and 3 steals, while Dragasevic (Season PPG: 15.00, RPG: 5.67, AssPG: 5.93) orchestrated with 16 points and 11 assists, including those key third-quarter threes. From the local core, Fabien Vandler chipped in 13 points on 6/8 shooting. Bascharage featured one professional on the roster; Nitia had none.
For Nitia, the home contingent carried the scoring: Christopher Teck produced 14 points (2/2 FT, 2/4 3P) and Mathieu Ercolani 15 points with 6 rebounds. Badara Seck Faye added 10, and El Hadji Modou Thiam 9. Team shooting hurt the hosts (41% on twos, 14% on threes), despite 20 assists. Daniel Prior Torralba had a technical late in the first quarter during the early Bascharage push.
Coach Nicolas Schaefer's side swept the season series (92-55 away, 91-60 away) and climbs to 7th (6-7, +1). Coach Bradley Gene Melton's team remains 10th at 0-13, still seeking a first win, with a 13-game losing streak.
(AI generated)