AB Contern won a very tight top-of-the-table game at Racing Luxembourg, 86-84 after overtime, and moved into 1st place with a 3-0 record and a one-place gain. Racing dropped to 2nd at 2-1.
Racing had the better start at 18-16. Elhadj Ibrahima Diallo (RAC) and Martin Cuesta Jaramillo (RAC) gave the home side early scoring balance, while Alex Wies (CON) kept Contern close.
The game turned in the 2nd quarter. After 22-22, coach Michael O. Ayodele's team closed the half with a strong 20-9 stretch for a 42-31 lead, the highest margin of the night at that stage. Tao Tock (CON), 15, was on a roll in that period, and Max Muller (CON) added constant pressure around him.
Coach Uros Niksic got a clear response after the break. Racing came back from 31-44 to 52-53, with Diallo, Martin Cuesta Jaramillo and Doruk Ege Kurtes (RAC) driving the rally. Contern still held a 57-52 edge after three quarters and then opened the 4th with five unanswered points to reach 62-52.
Racing answered with its best run late in regulation. From 54-64, the home side produced a 12-2 sequence to go in front 66-64, later extending to 74-70. Roby Sahr (RAC) hit an important three in that phase. Contern stayed composed, and Wies tied it at 75-75 with a late triple.
In overtime, Contern struck first again and went from 75-75 to 83-76. Racing answered with six straight points to get back to 82-83, but Muller scored the key late basket and the final free throw.
Muller led Contern with 29 points, Tock added 28 before fouling out in overtime, and Wies scored 16. For Racing, Diallo had 26, Martin Cuesta Jaramillo 24, and Kurtes 13. Contern has now won three in a row.
(AI generated)