AB Contern edged Musel Pikes 84-81 in Mondorf after a game with repeated momentum swings and no margin bigger than seven points.
Contern started better and turned 9-15 into a 22-17 first-quarter lead with a 13-2 run. Jonas Carlisle (CON) set the tone early, while Jeffrey Schumacher (CON) and Cameron Brooks-Harris (CON) added quick scoring. Musel answered strongly in the second period. After falling behind 26-33, Phil Dejworek's team produced 13 unanswered points, almost all through JULIAN (MUS), who completely changed the rhythm. He was on a major roll in that stretch and kept carrying the offense as Musel moved from 26-33 to 43-43 by halftime.
The third quarter brought another swing. Musel opened the half with a 13-4 burst to reach its biggest lead at 56-49. JULIAN (MUS) remained the central figure, finishing with 38 points, while Sam Streef (22, 1.90m) and Enzo Sanna (21, 1.92m, FRA) gave support. Contern stayed composed: Schumacher, Carlisle and Igor Durovic (21, 1.87m, BIH) brought Nigel Tolentino's side back, and Brooks-Harris tied and then pushed the visitors forward again.
The last quarter was decided by Contern's perimeter and late execution. Brooks-Harris hit two big threes for 72-68 and 75-70, then Borian Tymi (CON) scored six straight points to extend the lead to 81-74, another game-high margin of seven. Musel still came back behind STEEVE (MUS) and JULIAN (MUS), cutting it to 81-80, but Contern held on from the line and through one final Carlisle point.
Top scorers were JULIAN (MUS) with 38, Brooks-Harris with 19, Carlisle with 18 and Schumacher with 21. Brooks-Harris fouled out late, while Musel lost KYLE (MUS) on five fouls.
(AI generated)
Musel Pikes