North Fox edged Rebound Préizerdaul 102-99 after double overtime in Reuler, a game that swung wildly before Coach Nermin Civic's team closed it out. PRE started sharper (16-20), but FOX flipped it to 44-42 at halftime. The third quarter was a rollercoaster: FOX built a 64-47 lead with a 10-0 burst, only for PRE to answer with a stunning 17-0 run to tie 64-64 at the buzzer.
PRE then pushed ahead 83-76 late in the fourth, but FOX pieced together a 7-0 finish to force OT. The first extra period saw Hanan Ahmic (Season PPG: 11.70) rescue PRE with five straight points (two free throws and a three) to 92-92. In the second OT, with captain Elmir Pjevic (Season PPG: 28.25) already fouled out since the fourth quarter, FOX struck first through Mattis Rob and Julien Rucken, moved up 98-93, absorbed a PRE push back to 100-99, and Rob delivered the final basket to secure the win.
Top performers
- FOX: Yannis Ludes (Season PPG: 14.58) erupted for 46 points, including two triples, while captain Mattis Rob (Season PPG: 21.75) added 39. Rucken contributed 12. That duo combined for 85 points and scored repeatedly in both overtimes.
- PRE: Pjevic poured in 31 before fouling out, and Ahmic had 22, including the clutch sequence that forced a second OT. Lenn Lefevre (Season PPG: 3.91) hit four threes for 15 points. Jamien Tom Simoes Marbes added 9, and Leandro Santos Duarte (15, PRT) had 9 as well. Evan Simo Djoko (14, ITA) scored 7 before his fifth foul in the second OT.
Key swings defined the game: FOX's highest lead reached 17 (64-47), PRE's peaked at 7 (76-83), and both teams produced decisive runs at crucial times. Coach Jérôme Lefevre's side fought on despite losing key scorers to fouls.
In the Phase finale standings, North Fox climb to third (+2) at 1-1, while Rebound Préizerdaul drop to 0-3 and remain winless, their recent skid extended.
(AI generated)