BNP Parisbas edged Staater Léiwen 48-41 at Lux Gare in a low-scoring Bascol Division 3 game decided in the final minute. The contest was level at halftime (22-22) before coach Armel Milongo's team controlled the third quarter 12-8 and held firm late.
Game flow
- Q1: After SLW's Gilles Hirtz opened the scoring, Mohamed Cheikhrouhou (BNP) answered with three straight baskets for a 6-4 start. BNP took the period 14-11.
- Q2: From 16-11, SLW pieced together a 2-11 run Hirtz and Keven Reuland combining to push ahead 18-22 before Cheikhrouhou tied it with back-to-back scores (22-22).
- Q3: BNP struck first (Cheikhrouhou, Mendim Balaj) to 26-22. Hirtz kept SLW close with consecutive free throws and a field goal, but BNP closed the frame up 34-30.
- Q4: The hosts built the night's largest lead at 43-35. SLW responded: Hirtz (FT + 2) and Kevin Andrade Alves cut it to 43-40; Reuland added a free throw to make it 43-41. BNP finished on a 5-0 run Samuel Mathurin Tchantio Kombiwo scored, then Gautier Marcoux drilled the only three-pointer of the game to seal it. Moments earlier, Marcoux had been hit with two quick fouls in a row, then delivered the dagger.
Top performers
- BNP: Cheikhrouhou led with 17 points (eight 2FG, 1 FT). Support came inside from Balaj and Zarraa (6 each) and Tchantio Kombiwo (6), with useful bench scores by Matthieu Saint (4) and Gabriel Felix Salla (2).
- SLW: Hirtz poured in 20 (7x2FG, 6 FT), while Reuland added 13 (5x2FG, 3 FT). Andrade Alves had 6. SLW went without a three-pointer.
Trends and details
- BNP scored 44 of their 48 points on two-pointers, imposing themselves in the paint. SLW lived more at the line (9 made free throws) but lacked perimeter conversion.
- Highest leads: BNP +8 (43-35), SLW +4 (18-22).
- Foul note: Thierry Kruchten (SLW) picked up four fouls; BNP's Marcoux finished with three, including two in succession early in the fourth.
Coach Laurent Ley's side fought back to one possession late, but BNP executed the final possessions to take a tight home win.
(AI generated)