Mambra Mamer, now 3rd (+1), took a close 87-83 road win over T71 Dudelange B, who remain 1st (+1), in the Phase finale return opener. It was Mamer's fourth straight win, and it came after two earlier losses this season against T71B.
T71B started better and led 20-13 after a strong first quarter. They were up 16-5 at one stage, with Tim Wagner (Season PPG: 9.22) and Phanuel Magoum (Season PPG: 11.67) setting the tone. The game changed early in the second period: after Wagner made it 23-13, Mamer produced a 16-0 run to move in front 29-23. Ethan Martins (Season PPG: 15.50), a 14-year-old guard, was central in that stretch and helped Mamer win the quarter 31-14 for a 44-34 halftime lead.
Mamer kept control in the third quarter and reached their biggest lead at 68-49. Valentin Oury (Season PPG: 16.15) and Arda Selim Isiklar (Season PPG: 12.18) added important baskets, while Oury also managed his foul trouble before fouling out late. T71B captain Paddy Keiser (Season PPG: 8.96) had been in early foul trouble from the first quarter and also fouled out.
The home side pushed hard in the last quarter. Magoum finished with 23 points, Wagner added 17 with four 3-pointers, and Jamie Papa Muller (Season PPG: 8.12) scored 15. T71B cut the gap several times, but Mamer answered through Oury (19), Martins (23, including 12 made free throws), Isiklar (15) and Nicolas Bos (Season PPG: 11.31) with key late scores. Sandro Ceresi's team got as close as four at the end, but Mamer held the final possessions.
(AI generated)