US Heffingen, now 2nd in M-Nationale 2 after a one-place gain, took a close 79-74 home win over 7th-ranked Mambra Mamer.
Game evolution was clear. Mamer started better and led 15-3, with Alan Bedirhanoglu (Season PPG: 9.40, RPG: 4.14, AssPG: 2.71) scoring 9 straight points for the visitors. After an early timeout from coach José Alberto Pais Costa, Heffingen changed the rhythm and closed the first quarter on a 16-4 push to get back to 19-19.
The key stretch came early in the second period. After Kelvin Almeida Lopes de Pina made it 19-22, Heffingen answered with 16 unanswered points for 35-22 and took control. Their offense was efficient: 74% on 2-pointers, an excellent mark, and a good 48% from 3. Mamer also shot the ball well, with an excellent 73% from 2, a good 36% from 3 and a good 86% at the line, but Heffingen created more volume.
At halftime it was 46-35, and the hosts later reached their highest lead at 62-46 late in the third quarter. Mamer, coached by Dragan Stipanovic, did not fade. A 9-0 run in the fourth brought them back to 66-65, mostly through Gianluca Pellegrino Ombroni (Season PPG: 15.60, RPG: 7.71, AssPG: 2.86), who finished with 20 points and shared MVP honors.
Heffingen's response in the closing minutes was decisive. Lee Bourgeois (Season PPG: 13.17, RPG: 4.33, AssPG: 1.00) scored the team's first 8 points of the last quarter and ended with 17. The 23-year-old American Najee Emanuel Williams (Season PPG: 25.17, RPG: 7.00, AssPG: 4.00) added 23, including a late 3 for 73-67. Olivier Schneider made it 77-74 for Mamer, but Helder Neto (Season PPG: 22.83, RPG: 14.67, AssPG: 5.67), Heffingen's other co-MVP, sealed the close game with the final two free throws. Heffingen has now won two in a row.
(AI generated)