Eurobasket controlled KPMG 71-54 at lux gare after a decisive second half in Bascol Division 2. The opening quarter was balanced: Olivier Maillet (EUR) opened with a three, Laurynas Bagdonas (EUR) strung 5 points in a row, and Michele Simonato (EUR) closed with back-to-back baskets for 16-13. KPMG answered in the second period, adjusting under coach Alexandre Weinand. Carlos Wagner (KPM) carried the visitors, scoring KPMG's last 10 points of the half to flip the game to 27-29 at the break.
The third quarter was the turning point. Trailing 35-37, Eurobasket unleashed a 17-0 run fueled by Simonato, Domas Savickas (EUR), Rimgaudas Greicius (EUR) and Maillet. The hosts won the period 25-8 and entered the fourth up 52-37. The lead peaked at +22 (60-38) early in the final quarter. KPMG tried to respond through Asier Ugarte (KPM) and Weinand who added a late three and free throws but an unsportsmanlike foul on Weinand in the last stretch undercut momentum. Eurobasket closed calmly, with Maillet and Svajunas Piepolis (EUR) sealing it.
Top performers: Maillet (EUR) poured in 26 points with relentless scoring from mid-range and around the rim, Piepolis (EUR) added 10 with timely shooting, Simonato (EUR) 10 gave steady interior production, while Savickas (EUR) chipped 8 and Greicius (EUR) 7. For KPMG, Wagner (KPM) had 16 and the key second-quarter surge, Ugarte (KPM) totaled 14 with multiple threes, and Weinand (KPM) scored 10. No one fouled out; Konstantinos Ntontis (EUR) picked up three quick fouls after checking in during the fourth, and Greicius committed back-to-back fouls in that spell. Coach Roberto Schiano's team owned the third quarter and the game's crucial run.
(AI generated)