Basket Esch pushed SLUC Nancy to the limit but lost 59-60 in a friendly decided in the final minute. The visitors controlled the start, taking the first quarter 19-10 and extending their lead to 22-12 early in the second period, their highest margin of the game at 10 points. Basket Esch then found better balance, mainly through Jordan Hicks (36, 2.01m, USA), who finished with 23 points, and the home side reduced the gap to 25-31 at halftime.
The third quarter was the turning point in Esch's best phase. Hicks drove the offense, Denilson Ramos Fonseca added inside scoring, and the home team turned a 29-35 deficit into a 41-36 lead. That stretch gave Esch a 12-1 run and real momentum. Nancy reacted well, though, closing the quarter on a 10-2 run to go back in front 46-43. Chaney (SLN) made the difference throughout with 24 points, while Sessie-Sele (SLN) added 10 and steady paint production.
The fourth quarter stayed very close. Hicks tied the game at 48-48 with a three-pointer, but Nancy answered with an 8-0 run from 50-53 to 58-53 through Chaney, Nunungo and Sessie-Sele. Esch responded immediately through Emmanuel Jesus Frederico (17, 2.00m), who scored 6 straight points to put Basket Esch ahead 59-58 despite foul trouble. He finished with 11 points and later fouled out. Nancy had the final basket when Chaney scored for 60-59. Felix Jaime Jenn added 5 points, including an important three, while Damien Thill and Jeffry Monteiro Neves each scored 6. Nunungo and Pulvar both contributed 9 for the visitors.
(AI generated)
Basket Esch