Sparta Bertrange controlled the last 10 minutes to defeat Résidence Walferdange 82-64 in the M-Coupe de l'Avenir 1/4 finales at nikibett/central. The game evolved in phases: Sparta jumped ahead 21-12 after the first quarter on steady finishes from Alexandre Olinger and Thandizo Jon Zulu (15, SVN). Résidence answered with a 21-12 second period, fueled by Nojus Banys (15, LTU) and Jokubas Toliusis, to tie 33-33 at halftime.
The third quarter was a grind. Résidence briefly led 38-42 after a Banys triple, but Sparta countered with an 8-0 burst Maximilaan Flechtner and Zulu combining inside to move up 50-42 before Résidence clawed back to 50-50 entering the fourth.
Early in the last period, Résidence went up 52-54 after Rafael Dos Santos Antonio scored, prompting a timeout from coach Christian Michael Wulff. From there, Sparta authored the decisive sequence: an 18-0 run from 52-54 to 70-54. Aaron Torresani (15, ITA) buried three triples in the quarter two in quick succession to flip momentum, while Olinger added multiple baskets and a late free throw, and Flechtner scored through contact. Sparta's largest lead reached 18 in the closing minutes.
Top performers
- Sparta: Zulu led with 22 points, carrying key stretches in the third. Torresani added 18 (three 3s, plus a late 2+1 sequence across possessions), Olinger had 15 with timely fourthquarter scoring, and Flechtner chipped in 11, including a pair of important midthird baskets. IsamuVincent Boisclair (SPA) hit a late three and finished with 8.
- Résidence: Banys was excellent offensively with 29 points (including two 3s) and multiple trips to the line. Toliusis added 12, Matas Sendzikas 11, and Luis Leocadio Botelho 7.
Coach Raul Leandro Birenbaum's side had the game in hand at 52-54, but Sparta's perimeter accuracy and inside finishing on the ensuing 18-0 run proved the game winner.
(AI generated)