5th-ranked CFBB U18 edged 9th-ranked Nitia Bettembourg 66-61 in a close M-Nationale 2 game, with the home side taking control only in the last minutes. U18 answered a previous loss, while NIT stayed without a win.
The game swung several times. NIT led 18-17 after one quarter, then opened the second period with a strong 13-2 stretch to reach the game's highest lead at 29-19. Bradley Melton's team looked in command there, driven by Nicolas Saiquan Parrish (27, 1.75m, USA), who finished as game MVP with 23 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 8 steals. CFBB reacted well before halftime, cutting the gap to 32-31, and stayed in contact through a third quarter that ended 45-43 for NIT.
The fourth quarter was the decider. U18 tied at 45-45, but NIT still moved ahead 57-55 and later 59-58. Alexandre Kremer then gave CFBB a key push, scoring 14 points and producing a decisive late sequence from the foul line. After Bous tied it at 61-61, U18 closed on a 5-0 run through Louis Cocard (17, 1.89m), Elvio Amen Alissoutin (17, 1.84m) and Max Flechtner.
Denis Toroman's team had the better collective flow: 16 assists to 8, and good 52.9% on 2-pointers. NIT were good at the line at 80.0%, but their 3-point shooting was too low at 12.5% (3/24). U18 also struggled from deep (21.4%), yet created enough inside.
Among the winners, El Hadji Modou Thiam Diop (19, 1.96m) was highly efficient with 10 points and 11 rebounds, shooting an excellent 80.0% from 2 and 100% on free throws. Cocard added 11 points and 5 rebounds. For NIT, Parrish stood out, while Noah Horsmans (26) added 7 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals. Jules Reuter (18, 1.94m) had an important difficult night for U18, picking up four fouls in the first quarter before later receiving a disqualifying foul.
(AI generated)