Nitia Bettembourg B, now 4th after gaining one place, beat 3rd-placed T71 Dudelange B 66-59 and split the season series after the 84-65 loss in the first meeting.
The game changed direction in the second quarter. After T71 had reduced the gap to 23-21, Bettembourg produced a 16-2 run to reach halftime up 39-23. That stretch gave the home side firm control. Earlier, NITB had also answered T71's 2-0 start with 10 straight points and carried that momentum into the break.
T71 reacted well after halftime. Daris Honsic (16, FRA, Season PPG: 28.14) scored 5 points in a row to start the third quarter, and the visitors opened the half on a 7-0 run to get back to 39-30. Bettembourg settled again, rebuilt the lead to 56-42 by the end of the third, and then reached its highest margin again at 62-46 early in the fourth.
The end stayed tense. T71 closed on a 7-0 run from 66-52 to 66-59, but never came closer than 7 points, so Bettembourg held the result in a close finish.
NITB's strength was its balance. Elvin Muhovic (Season PPG: 7.38) led with 14 points. Nelson Pinto (Season PPG: 10.75), Owen Chen (Season PPG: 11.33) and Arnaud Pyee (Season PPG: 4.20) each added 12, while Noah Butler (Season PPG: 4.55) scored 11.
For T71, Honsic was the main offensive force with 25 points, including 10 in the last quarter. Rafael Costa Farinha (Season PPG: 9.08) added 14, and Arnaud Yann Menu (25, FRA) scored 8.
(AI generated)