Arantia Larochette won a very tight friendly against Iserlohn Kangaroos, 87-86, after leading most of the night and surviving a late comeback.
Coach Daniel Alves Brandao de Sousa's team set the early tone. After falling behind 1-2, Arantia answered with 9 straight points and closed the first quarter 26-16. The home side kept control in the second period and still led 45-35 at halftime. Early in the third, Arantia reached the game's highest margin at 52-37.
The main engines were Vic Heuschling (30, 1.96m) and Tyrell Daniel Sturdivant (31, 2.04m, USA), both with 20 points. Miachel Esosa Imariagbe (24, USA) added 12 and gave Arantia important first-half punch, while Derek Wilson (35, 1.95m) had 11.
Iserlohn changed the rhythm through P. Lunguana (ISO), H. Rankine (ISO) and O. Theiss (ISO). Lunguana finished with 28 points, Rankine with 22 and Theiss with 18. Their push became decisive in the fourth quarter: from 71-64 down, Iserlohn produced a 12-0 run to move ahead 76-71. That stretch turned a controlled Arantia game into a possession-by-possession finish.
Arantia also had to manage foul trouble, with Wilson and Imariagbe both fouling out. The third quarter sheet also records a disqualifying foul entry against Lunguana.
The closing sequence was decided in small details. Sturdivant brought Arantia back to 84-84 with a three, but Iserlohn edged in front 86-84 from the line. Then Lee Brosius (18, 1.92m) delivered the winning sequence: a basket for 86-86 and the final free throw for 87-86. That late composure made him the game winner in a one-point finish.
(AI generated)