Sparta Bertrange won a close game in Soleuvre, 85-75, after a strong second half and a decisive fourth quarter. The first half was very balanced. AS Soleuvre took the opening period 22-21, then had to absorb a 10-0 Sparta run early in the second quarter, from 22-21 to 22-31. Carlo Ferrante's team reacted well: Lou Lahure (Season PPG: 26.53) scored 7 points in a row during a 15-0 answer that turned the game to 37-31, and Soleuvre led 39-37 at halftime.
The key swing came in the third quarter. Soleuvre briefly reached its biggest lead at 44-37, but Sparta responded with a 16-2 run to move in front 53-46. Anton Mercier, a 13-year-old French guard, and captain Petar Kulisic (Season PPG: 27.00) were central in that stretch. Sparta carried a 59-56 edge into the last period.
In the fourth, Yann Ewert's side kept control. Jan Rotink opened with a three, Alexander Möller added inside scoring, and Kulisic produced 10 consecutive Sparta points to push the margin to 76-64. The visitors' biggest lead reached 13 points before Lahure hit late baskets to trim the final gap.
Lahure was outstanding with 40 points, matching his season high. Timéo Weber (Season PPG: 20.71) added 14, and Phillipe Vieira Geraldes (Season PPG: 20.56) had 10 despite four fouls. For Sparta, Mercier (Season PPG: 15.00) scored 23, Kulisic 22, Rafael Ferreira (Season PPG: 15.50) 13, and Möller (Season PPG: 13.71) 12.
Sparta beat Soleuvre for the third time this season, returned to winning ways after its previous loss, and moved up to 1st place in the phase finale at 7-1. Soleuvre's three-game winning streak ended; it is now 2nd at 6-2.
(AI generated)