Black Star Mersch overpowered Bascharage Hedgehogs 121-55 in Mersch in M-U18 Division 3 (Phase 2), controlling the game after a balanced opening. Bascharage had it at 19-19 late in the first, but BSM closed the quarter 30-21. The game broke open in the second: Black Star strung together a 21-0 surge, highlighted by Leandro Da Silva Nunes (16, PRT) drilling three consecutive three-pointers for nine straight points, and won the period 33-5 to reach halftime at 63-26.
Sam Tibold drove the offense all night with 42 points (8x2P, 6x3P, 8xFT), getting to the line repeatedly in the third where he added a string of free throws. Da Silva Nunes added 28 (six threes), and captain Trey Sean Boayue chipped in 19 (eight 2Ps). As a team, BSM hit 15 threes, 31 two-pointers and 14 free throws; 37% of their points came from behind the arc. Bascharage managed 2 threes, 20 twos and 9 free throws.
For BAS, Kodjovi Armel Yohann Koutsawa (Season PPG: 17.1) led with 15, including three free throws in a row early in the third. Mateo Bogatu (1.86m, 17, ROU) scored 9, and Alessandro Gonçalves (8) started well but fouled out in the fourth. Coach Jérôme Hansen's side kept the pressure through a 29-12 third and a 29-17 fourth, reaching a highest lead of 66 at the buzzer.
Black Star remain perfect atop the group at 5-0 (five straight wins). Bascharage are 2-3 and sit third. This outcome mirrors the first meeting of the season, also won by BSM (114-46). Coach Veljko Dragasevic's team will look for answers after BSM's long second-quarter run proved decisive.
(AI generated)