Bonn won a close friendly in Bertrange, 86-80, after controlling the first half and then resisting a strong Sparta comeback.
Coach Becker's team set the early tone. After a 5-5 start, Bonn reeled off 9 straight points to move to 14-5 and finished the opening quarter ahead 26-19. The second period was Bonn's best stretch: Willoughby (BON) scored from inside and outside, Von Saldern (BON) added efficient support, and Paulo (BON) stretched the defense. The visitors reached their highest lead at 52-35 by halftime.
Sparta, coached by Karl Abou Khalil, changed the rhythm after the break. The hosts won the third quarter 26-15 and cut the gap to 67-61. AJ John (SPA) carried much of that push and finished with a game-high 29 points. He had strong help from homegrown guard Max Logelin (23, 1.87m), who scored 15, while Jarvis Williams (SPA) added 18 and Yannick Verbeelen (27, 1.91m) 13.
The key swing came in the fourth quarter. Sparta trailed 74-65, then produced a 10-0 run to take its first lead at 75-74 on Victor Stein's three-pointer. Bonn answered well under pressure. Willoughby (BON), Paulo (BON) and Von Saldern (BON) led the response as the visitors closed the game on a 12-5 spell from that moment.
Willoughby was Bonn's leading scorer with 24 points. Von Saldern followed with 16, Paulo had 12, and Nduche (BON) contributed 9. Sparta's second-half reaction made it a real contest, but Bonn's first-half cushion and late execution preserved the win.
(AI generated)
Sparta Bertrange