In a tight meeting of the top two teams in M-Division 3, second-placed Racing Luxembourg D won 58-53 away to leader Amicale Steesel C. Racing extended its winning run to eight games, while Amicale saw a four-game streak end. Coach Pesch's side also reversed the first meeting, which Amicale had won 89-63.
Racing opened better and took the first quarter 18-12. André Pesch (Season PPG: 8.41) set the tone with 9 first-quarter points, and Lan Horvat Kovac, the 27-year-old Slovenian (Season PPG: 8.93), added early impact.
Amicale answered with its strongest phase, a 22-9 second quarter that turned the game around for a 34-27 halftime lead. Gil Majerus (Season PPG: 17.22) was central to that push and finished with a game-high 24 points. Captain Maximilien Lamesch (Season PPG: 15.58) added 13, and Philippe Koeune (28, 1.82m) brought useful support with 9.
The game shifted again after the break. From 36-27, Racing produced a 17-5 run to move in front 44-41 entering the last period. Pesch, Jorge Montero Gonzalez (Season PPG: 11.91), Horvat Kovac and Claude Hoffmann drove that swing. Montero finished with 16 points, Pesch with 18 and Horvat Kovac with 12.
Amicale briefly reclaimed the lead at 51-50, but in the crucial moment Racing answered immediately: two free throws by Pesch and a key three by Horvat Kovac pushed it to 55-51. In a five-point game, that response was decisive. Amicale also had Maurice Boreiko in foul trouble from the second quarter and he eventually fouled out, while Racing held on even after Horvat Kovac fouled out late.
(AI generated)