Bascharage controlled the relegation round game from start to finish, beating Rebound Préizerdaul 87-43 in Bascharage. Mike Weyer's side briefly led 2-6, but Dejan Pavlovic's team replied with a late first-quarter surge: from 11-10, the Hedgehogs strung together 11 unanswered points to close the period at 22-12. A 9-0 spark early in the second quarter pushed the margin to 31-16, and Bascharage reached halftime up 41-22. The final break came in the fourth: after 63-41, the hosts delivered a 22-0 run to 87-41, their largest lead (+46) before a last basket set the final score.
Aziz Ndiaye (29 years, 2.03m, SEN) was dominant with 22 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals, earning game MVP. Inside the arc, Bascharage shot a good 57% (30/53), while outside touch was modest (5/24, 21%) and free throws at 57% (12/21). Their collective play stood out: 28 assists and an aggressive defense that repeatedly turned stops into easy points. Veljko Dragasevic (28, HUN; Season PPG: 15.52, RPG: 5.08, AssPG: 6.33) added 12, and Tristan Hugues Heilmann (Season PPG: 6.44) chipped in 17 with timely mid-range finishes. Deni Sabotic (Season PPG: 7.95, RPG: 3.16, AssPG: 3.40) scored 13, including a third-quarter triple, and young guard Fabien Vandler hit 5 straight in the first (a three and a layup) to ignite the early break.
For Préizerdaul, Olivier Braun (PRE) and Aaron Legg (PRE) led with 8 points each. Mathis Weyrich (PRE) and Jamal Wilson (32, 2.00m) added 7 apiece, while Zachary Legg (PRE) had 6. Welton Silva do Rosario (PRE) and Fredy Da Luz Evora (PRE) scored 2 each. Despite registering one professional on the sheet (Bascharage had none), the visitors could not match the hosts' rhythm or depth, especially in the closing quarter.
In the standings, Bascharage climb to 2nd place (+2) at 1-1 in the group, while Préizerdaul sit 5th (+1) at 0-2. Bascharage's recent form remains mixed, but this was a convincing response; Préizerdaul are still seeking their first win of this phase.
(AI generated)