BBC Police edged Eur. Investment Bank A, 70-64, in a close Bascol Division 1 game played at Police, controlling most of the night but needing late free throws to secure it.
Police set the tone early (23-17 after Q1), with Kevin Moura Santos repeatedly getting to the line and Tom Steffen adding inside points. By mid-second quarter, a Picco triple and steady scoring opened the largest gap at 39-27; halftime came at 39-29. Police stretched it to 48-35 on Eric Bissener's two in the third, but Miguel Llevenes caught fire, pouring in seven unanswered points to close the period at 48-42 and drag EIBA back into it.
The fourth quarter swung on mini-runs. After two Petkovic free throws, Llevenes hit five straight (a three, then a two) to pull EIBA within 50-49. Christian Schreiner immediately answered with five in a row (a three and a two) for 55-49, a pivotal swing. EIBA kept coming Manjani's three and Petkovic inside trimmed it to 67-64 but Moura Santos coolly knocked down four free throws on back-to-back trips, and Yanik Kombo added the last point to close a 3-0 finishing spurt.
Key numbers underline the difference: both teams hit five threes, but Police converted 19 free throws to EIBA's 11. That margin at the stripe was decisive in a tight finish. EIBA also lost starter Emanuele Santi to five fouls in the fourth, straining their rotation during the final push.
Top performers:
- Police: Kevin Moura Santos (23 points, 7 two-pointers, 9 made free throws) led the line; Tom Steffen added 18 (5 FTs, one three), and Christian Schreiner chipped 11 with a crucial fourth-quarter burst.
- EIBA: Miguel Llevenes was outstanding with 28 (8 twos, 3 threes, 3 FTs), Srdan Petkovic had 17 (7 FTs, 5 twos), and Drini Manjani hit two threes for 9.
Coach Gilles Jankowski's side built and protected the lead, while Nicolae Predescu's team nearly stole it behind Llevenes' scoring run. Police are the game winners after holding firm late at the line.
(AI generated)
BBC Police