AB Contern edged AS Soleuvre 75-68 in the Phase finale round-robin opener, reversing October's heavy loss (61-90) with a controlled second half. Soleuvre imposed early rhythm and built the highest lead of the night at +12 (8-20) behind Nik Lahure's hot hand. Contern closed the first period with three straight free throws from Alex Wies to trail 16-20, but SOL still took a 33-38 halftime advantage.
The game flipped after the break. Contern strung together an 8-0 burst from 38-43 to 46-43, fueled by Emil Dostert's repeated trips to the line and a momentum three from Niels Daniel Keane (IRL, 15). The hosts won the third quarter 20-9 and pushed their largest lead to +8 (53-45). Soleuvre rallied late: Lou Lahure drilled a three, Yann Conan scored in traffic, and Tim Heiderscheid hit from deep to get within 66-65. Wies answered with a timely three (69-65), and the closing minute turned on discipline: Max Kunen was disqualified (D2) at 71-68, followed by a bench technical. Contern closed at the stripe.
Free throws told the story: Contern converted 20, Soleuvre 6. Dostert (25 points; 9 FTs, 8 two-pointers), Wies (14; 2 threes, 6 FTs) and Max Muller (13, including a key fourth-quarter three and late free throws) led the hosts; Keane added 9 with two triples. For Soleuvre, Nik Lahure (28; 9 twos, 2 threes, 4 FTs) carried the load, Kunen had 14 before his DQ, with Conan 8 and Pit Simon 7.
Coach Ayodele Michael O.'s group snapped a two-game slide and climbs to 2nd (+3 in ranking), while Coach Olivier Haan's side sits 3rd. Contern's composure in the third quarter and at the line in crunch time made the difference.
(AI generated)