Vibball Luxembourg controlled their M-Coupe des Jeunes quarter-final against BC Mess, 86-73, on the back of a blistering start and timely answers to the visitors' late push. The hosts exploded to a 29-10 first quarter, closing the period with a 19-2 run from 10-8. Captain Michel Ange Mafolo Ondekane (VBE) set the tone with three triples in the opening stanza and strung together four consecutive free throws to stretch the gap. Halftime came at 47-33, and the cushion peaked at +22 (61-39) midway through the third.
Mess fought back in the fourth. Pedrito Kemevuako (17, 1.80m, AGO) ignited the comeback attempt with back-to-back threes and a layup for an 8-point personal burst to 69-59, and later Bryan Hensen (MES) hit from deep to bring it to 77-71. Vibball, coached by Ildiko Vass, steadied at the line: Cassian Matgen (VBE) and Isaac Foz Moutinho (VBE) converted key free throws, while Benjamin Mafolo Ondekane (VBE) kept scoring in the paint and at the stripe to close it out. Mess, guided by Joao Carlos Santiago Janeiro, saw momentum blunted by foul trouble, notably the late foul-outs of Jamie Freymann (MES) and Yann Krings (MES).
Top scorers for Vibball: Michel Ange Mafolo Ondekane (VBE) with 27 points (5x2, 4x3, 5x1) and Benjamin Mafolo Ondekane (VBE) with 23 (8x2, 7x1). Matgen (VBE) added 11, with Vlad (VBE) and Foz Moutinho (VBE) contributing 9 each. For Mess, Kemevuako led with 24 (5x2, 4x3), Freymann had 18 (6x2, 6x1), and Krings 14, while André Cristostomo Ribeiro (MES) added 9.
Key moments: Vibball's 19-2 close to Q1 built the platform; Mess' fourth-quarter surge cut it to two possessions, but the hosts' free throws and half-court composure protected the lead. Highest lead: +22 for Vibball.
(AI generated)