AS Soleuvre took an important 79-61 road win over Racing Luxembourg B in the M-U18 Division 3 phase finale, moving up to 2nd place (+2) at 4-3, while Racing B is now 3rd (+2) at 3-4. Soleuvre also completed the season sweep after its earlier 88-72 win in the first meeting, and stopped a two-game losing streak.
The game stayed open for a long time. Soleuvre started well at 6-2, then Racing answered and closed the first quarter with a 7-0 run to edge in front 21-20. In the second period, coach Nicolae Predescu's side found its best stretch: from 21-22 down, Racing built a 10-4 sequence to reach 31-26, its biggest lead of the game. Soleuvre remained close, with Pol Diedenhofen (Season PPG: 13.41) keeping the visitors in contact, and Racing still led 35-31 at halftime.
The third quarter changed the rhythm. Malik Bah (Season PPG: 12.65) became the main offensive force for coach Hervé Marie-Rose's team. Racing briefly led 49-46, but Soleuvre finished the period on an 8-2 push, helped by Bah and Jean-Marc Juchem, to go ahead 54-51.
Early in the fourth, Racing reduced it to 54-56, still a one-possession game. Then came the decisive stretch: Soleuvre went on a 13-0 run to 69-54, with Bah heavily involved. He scored 25 of his 26 points after the first quarter and was clearly on a roll in the second half. Diedenhofen added steady interior scoring all evening and finished with 23, while captain Lex Lahure (Season PPG: 16.88) had 15, including key early baskets.
For Racing, Arthur Lamidiaux (Season PPG: 9.11) led with 19, Luca Schmit (Season PPG: 7.91) added 14, and captain Raul Calderon Ramos (17, ESP) scored 11. Mihailo Rilak (RACB) brought 6 useful points in limited season appearances.
(AI generated)