Avanti Mondorf controlled Bascharage Hedgehogs 76-67 in the M-Nationale 2 tour qualificatif, completing a 2-0 sweep of the head-to-head after the 75-66 road win earlier in the season.
Game evolution
Mondorf hit hard early and closed the first quarter on an 8-0 run to 28-15. Uzziah Khalil Dawkins (Season PPG: 25.8, RPG: 7.3, AssPG: 2.0) strung five points in a row around a timeout, while Tim Bartholomey buried back-to-back threes. An unsportsmanlike (U2) on Tristan Hugues Heilmann (25, 1.93m, FRA) punctuated a choppy opening for BAS. The second quarter was balanced (19-19), with Jeffrey Leroy Early Jr. (Season PPG: 26.38, RPG: 8.0, AssPG: 2.0) repeatedly getting to the line (7/7 FT) to keep BAS in range at 47-34 at halftime.
After the break, BAS threatened through Heilmann's outside shooting and an Early three, but Joseph Daniel Reuter (Season PPG: 22.5, RPG: 13.1, AssPG: 3.3) answered with a triple and steady scoring; MON still led 63-49 after three. Early in the fourth, Lou Mertens finished twice inside and Foni Mertens hit from deep for a 72-51 highest lead (+21). BAS rallied behind Veljko Dragasevic (Season PPG: 14.7, RPG: 5.6, AssPG: 1.3), who knocked down late threes, and Heilmann, trimming it to 76-67, but Mondorf saw it out. Yann Bartholomey committed two quick fouls in the third; Tim Bartholomey picked up two in a row late.
Key numbers
Mondorf shot 53% on 2s (good) but only 23% from three and 61% at the line. Bascharage hit 85% FTs (good) yet stayed at 45% on 2s and 32% from three. Turnovers were decisive: MON only 5, BAS 13. MON also dominated the offensive glass (18-10).
Top performers
- Reuter was MVP (40 ranking): 27 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks.
- Dawkins added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
- Sven Bartholomey (Season PPG: 4.5) chipped in 7 points and 4 assists; Tim Bartholomey hit 3 triples for 9.
For BAS, Early Jr. led with 23 points, Dragasevic had 16 (4/11 3P) and Heilmann added 15 with 3/6 from deep after the early U2. Under coach Philip David Dejworek, Mondorf's two professionals against Bascharage's one told in the half-court. Coach Nicolas Schaefers' side rode free throws to stay close but couldn't erase the early hole.
(AI generated)