Arcus controlled AS CFL 61-48 in Capellen after a blistering 26-6 opening quarter and a composed finish. The hosts came out sharper and more accurate, with Michail Kouris (ACU) pouring in 14 points in the first 10 minutes, including multiple long-range makes, to build a 20-point cushion.
CFL steadied in the second (10-13) and then exploded after halftime. Sparked by captain Patrick Walravens (CFL), who strung together a layup followed by back-to-back threes for eight quick points, the visitors opened the third with a 13-0 run to close to 36-32. Coach Luc Kirsch (Arcus) halted the momentum with a timeout, and Arcus answered with a 6-0 spurt from Kouris, Ioannis Pitropakis (ACU) and Benoît Kraus (ACU) to rebuild breathing room and take a 45-39 lead into the fourth.
Arcus then opened the final quarter with an 8-0 burst, six of them from Georgios Vasilas (ACU) at the stripe and inside, and never looked back. Vasilas was pivotal late, adding more free throws after contact to keep CFL at arm's length. Denis Pleimling (CFL) hit a three and Paul Thinnes (CFL) added drives, but the gap remained double digits down the stretch.
Top scorers for Arcus were Kouris with 17, Vasilas 14 and Kraus 8, with Pitropakis adding 8 off the bench. Luc Kirsch (ACU) also chipped in 9, hitting a key third-quarter three and two late two-pointers that blunted CFL's push. For CFL, Walravens led with 15 (including two third-quarter triples), Eric Wagner (CFL) had 11 and Thinnes 9; Pleimling finished with 7 after late scoring.
Notable sequences:
- Arcus' highest lead: +20 (26-6, end Q1).
- CFL's 13-0 run to start Q3 cut it to four (36-32).
- Arcus' 8-0 start to Q4, largely through Vasilas, sealed control.
Only personal fouls were recorded; no disqualifications. Early on, Pleimling picked up two quick infractions, while Tony Martins Ferreira (ACU) navigated four fouls yet still opened the game's scoring with a three. Coach Michael Cotellesa (AS CFL) saw his team battle back, but Arcus' response runs proved decisive.
(AI generated)
Arcus