In the M-Coupe Minis 1/16 finals, Gréngewald Hueschtert beat Résidence Walferdange 90-79 after controlling long stretches and then resisting a real fourth-quarter comeback.
GRE set the tone at 19-11. Henry Ian Hind (GRE) scored the first two baskets, Arnas Pakasius (GRE) added early pressure, and captain Jake Jozef Rajniak (GRE) quickly found his rhythm. RES stayed in touch mainly through Robert Nicula (RES), who already had 10 points in the opening quarter.
The second period was much more offensive. GRE built cushions at 28-16 and later 33-20, but coach Steve Alexandre's team answered through Nicula, Joaquym Branyan Questier (RES) and Jim Aloyse Mathieu (RES). Rajniak was on a roll before halftime, scoring again and again from the line and near the basket, and GRE still led 47-40 even though RES won the quarter 29-28.
The decisive break came in the third quarter. Matteo De Castro Christnach (GRE), Pakasius and Rajniak pushed the gap to 60-42, the highest lead of the game at 18 points. Rajniak finished with 40 points, including 14 made 2-pointers and 9 made free throws. The 13-year-old Pakasius added 15, and De Castro Christnach brought 13.
Walferdange made it a close game again in the fourth. Nicula, outstanding with 29 points, and Questier, strong with 23, reduced the deficit to 71-69. Gréngewald Hueschtert then had the winning response: De Castro Christnach and Rajniak restored control, while coach Ricky Easterling's side managed the final minutes well. Hind added 11 for GRE. For RES, Mathieu scored 12 and Jekabs Puciriuss (RES) 10, but the foul-outs of Questier and Puciriuss hurt the comeback attempt.
(AI generated)
Gréngewald Hueschtert