Third-ranked Résidence Walferdange lost 59-76 at home to fourth-ranked Racing Luxembourg in the Phase finale return opener. Racing stayed fourth and made it two wins in a row, while RES remain third after a third consecutive defeat. It was the fourth meeting between the teams this season, and Racing answered the January 69-66 loss with a much firmer performance.
The game turned quickly. Walferdange scored only 3 points in the first quarter, and Racing set the tone with control and depth. After RES had trimmed the score to 3-6, the visitors closed the opening period on a 7-0 run. The second quarter began with another 7 unanswered points from Racing for a 20-3 advantage, a gap that forced Coach Steve Alexandre's team to chase the game throughout. RES did respond better offensively, but Racing still reached halftime comfortably ahead, 37-24.
Walferdange's main answer was Gael Dos Santos Antonio (Season PPG: 17.23), who produced 28 points and matched his season high, despite carrying foul pressure. Stefans Grandovskis (Season PPG: 8.80) added 12, and Jonas Mikucionis (14, LTU; Season PPG: 5.50) finished with 11.
The decisive stretch came in the third quarter. RES reduced the deficit to 37-47, but Coach Christian Nittler's Racing answered with a 14-0 burst to 61-37. Elhadj Ibrahima Diallo (Season PPG: 22.58) scored 6 points in a row in that sequence, while Alejandro Cuesta Jaramillo (13, ESP; Season PPG: 19.09) led the team with 16. Racing's balance was striking: Cuesta 16, Piirsalu 11, Balde 11, Ratti 11, Breistroff 11 and Diallo 10.
RES won the last quarter 22-15, but the visitors had already built a highest lead of 32 points early in the fourth.
(AI generated)