US Heffingen, leaders of the Tour montée, edged 3rd-ranked Gréngewald Hueschtert 80-77 in a tight game and now lead the season series 2-1 after the teams had split their two qualification meetings.
GRE controlled the opening quarter. Aidan Reichert (Season PPG: 27.33, RPG: 11.54, AssPG: 2.92) set the tone early, and the visitors went from 5-0 to a 15-6 lead, their biggest margin at +9, before closing the first period 19-13 ahead. Heffingen stayed close in the second through Thomas Quarry (Season PPG: 28.75, RPG: 7.70, AssPG: 2.70) and Jacob Washington (HEF), but GRE still reached half-time in front, 42-38.
The game turned in the third quarter. Quarry scored 7 points in a row to pull HEF level, then the home side produced the decisive 23-11 period. Heffingen attacked the paint well all night with a good 52% on 2-pointers, while GRE were also good inside at 54%, but both teams struggled from long range.
Quarry was the main difference for coach Alexis Kreps' team: 34 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, with excellent shooting on free throws (8/8) and 2-pointers (10/13). Washington added 28 points and 14 rebounds, and Gerry Schuder Minden (Season PPG: 11.77, RPG: 3.23, AssPG: 2.38) gave 10 points.
GRE responded strongly in the last quarter. Jeremy Ingram (GRE) and Reichert drove a 7-0 run from 61-53 to 61-60, and later GRE came back from 73-65 to 79-77. Ingram finished with 25 points and Reichert with 27 points and 14 rebounds. Patrick Hoffmann (Season PPG: 6.88, RPG: 2.21, AssPG: 2.16) added 11 points, but GRE's comeback became harder after Hoffmann and Lex Bauer (Season PPG: 5.58, RPG: 3.11, AssPG: 2.89) fouled out. Quarry made two late free throws for 79-74, Hoffmann hit the last GRE basket from three, and Austin Parker III (Season PPG: 15.04, RPG: 6.93, AssPG: 3.07) sealed the final margin at the line.
(AI generated)