Black Star Mersch edged Avanti Mondorf 114-103 after overtime in Mondorf, completing a season sweep following the 89-57 win in the first meeting. The hosts started well (25-18 after Q1) and rode a blistering second quarter from Joseph Daniel Reuter (Season PPG: 22.08, RPG: 12.38, AssPG: 3.31): he buried three straight triples to push Mondorf to their biggest lead at 45-36. BSM steadied behind Desean Hampton and Kevin Sarlette and trailed only 55-53 at the break.
After halftime, Goran Lukic's side took control. Donte Bezel Pope (Season PPG: 34.55, RPG: 7.60, AssPG: 2.60) and Dean Gindt (34, 2.01m) powered a 22-30 third quarter for an 83-77 BSM cushion. Early in the fourth, a T1 on Tim Bartholomey gave BSM an extra point, but Philip David Dejworek's team fought back: Uzziah Khalil Dawkins (Season PPG: 26.85, RPG: 7.38, AssPG: 2.38) hit 10/12 at the line and scored back-to-back field goals to tie it 98-98 and force the extra period.
Overtime belonged to the visitors. They opened on an 8-1 burst Pope from deep, then Gindt from deep and never looked back. Pope finished with 46 points (13 twos, 4 threes, 8 FTs) and Gindt added 23, while Hampton posted 23. Sarlette chipped in 11 with timely threes; Romain Dieterlen added 9.
Reuter was immense for Mondorf: 39 points, 16 rebounds and 6/10 from three. Dawkins delivered 31 points and 10 assists. Among the locals, Tim Bartholomey hit 14 (4/6 from three) before fouling out in the finish, while Sven Bartholomey scored 8 on perfect shooting and Yann Bartholomey added 11.
Team-wise, MON shot an excellent 53.8% from three (14/26) and 88% at the line (15/17), while BSM's efficiency 44% from three (good), 53.8% on twos (good) and 77.8% FT (good) plus just 7 turnovers in regulation and OT proved decisive. BSM climbs to 2nd (+1) and is now on a three-game winning streak; MON stays 7th.
(AI generated)