BC Mess edged Bascharage Hedgehogs 82-79 in a close M-Nationale 2 game that changed shape late. Coach Stéphane Frentzel's team controlled the first three quarters, but coach Dejan Pavlovic's side nearly erased a 20-point deficit in the last period.
The opening quarter stayed balanced. Bascharage briefly went in front 5-4 through Luka Stankovic (Season PPG: 15.29, RPG: 8.44, AssPG: 2.56), but Mess answered with quick scoring from Pedrito Kemevuako and Luke Davis. After 18-19, the visitors made the first important break before halftime. Keishon Lamont Porter (Season PPG: 24.88, RPG: 6.14, AssPG: 2.86) produced 8 Mess points in a row in the second quarter, helping build a 44-34 lead.
The third quarter was the decisive stretch of control. Mess opened with steady inside scoring from Davis (Season PPG: 21.50, RPG: 22.14, AssPG: 2.14), a 25-year-old, 2.03m American forward, and Porter. The lead climbed to 70-50, the game's highest margin. Davis finished as MVP with 23 points and a huge 22 rebounds, adding good 2-point shooting at 62.5%. Porter added 25 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks, while Kemevuako contributed 17 points with good 3-point accuracy (4/8).
Bascharage responded strongly in the fourth. From 78-59 down, the Hedgehogs put together an 8-0 run to get back to 78-67, then another push trimmed it to 81-77 after Fabien Vandler's three. Bascharage won the last quarter 27-12, with Stankovic, Deni Sabotic (Season PPG: 15.43, RPG: 3.89, AssPG: 5.00) and Veljko Dragasevic, the 29-year-old Hungarian forward, carrying the comeback. Stankovic had 14 points and 9 rebounds, Dragasevic 17 points and 7 rebounds, and Vandler scored 13.
Bascharage shot a good 53.7% on 2-pointers, but Mess had the rebounding edge 42-37 and drew 23 fouls.
(AI generated)