CFBB U18 edged Nitia Bettembourg 86-85 after overtime, completing the season sweep after the 75-45 win in the first meeting. The game swung dramatically: Nitia flew out 13-26 in the first quarter, powered by Cameron Brooks-Harris (25, USA) who poured in the team's first eight points in quick succession and Jérôme Bous hitting two early threes. CFBB U18 steadied in the second (33-40 at half) and, despite back-to-back triples from Brooks-Harris in the third, kept contact at 61-69.
Coach Denis Toroman's side turned the tide in the fourth: Abram Macalou knocked down four straight free throws to cut it to 66-70, Sarunas Sulcas added key baskets, and El Hadji Modou Thiam Diop tied it at 74-74 to force OT. In the extra period, Nitia struck first as Badara Faye scored four in a row (74-78), but Thiam Diop answered with 9 points in overtime alone. Louis Cocard's corner three moved U18 ahead 84-81, and Thiam Diop's late two made it 86-83 the decisive basket before Nicolas Saquan Parrish (Season PPG: 18.25) hit two free throws to close at 86-85.
Top performers U18: Macalou (21; Season PPG: 12.28) set the tone, Thiam Diop (20; Season PPG: 7.48) owned OT, Sulcas added 12, and Cocard 10 with the crucial OT triple. For Nitia, Brooks-Harris led with 24 but fouled out in the fourth, a turning point, while Parrish added 20 and Bous 15; Mathieu Ercolani chipped in 10.
Game evolution notes: Nitia's highest lead was 13 in the first quarter; Brooks-Harris had a six-point personal run early, Faye opened OT with four straight, and Macalou's four consecutive free throws sparked the late comeback. Coach Bradley Melton's team, which featured two professionals while CFBB U18 had none, could not close it out.
CFBB U18 are 9th in the table and now on a three-game winning streak. Nitia sit 10th (1-18), slipping again after a brief mid-season win.
(AI generated)