AS Soleuvre controlled their 1/8 final in the Loterie Nationale Cup, defeating Musel Pikes 100-88 in Zolwer/Scheierhaf under FIBA rules. The hosts exploded out of the blocks with a 35-14 first quarter, fueled by outside shooting from Gilles Weis (30, 1.85m) and Felix Whitcomb Kloman (23, USA). Kloman opened the second period with five points in a row and Soleuvre went to the break 55-31. After the restart, another Kloman triple pushed the gap to a game-high +30 (77-47), before Musel answered.
Musel found rhythm late in the third: Esosa Kelvin Okundaye (32, DEU) drilled three triples in quick succession to close the quarter at 82-61. In the fourth, Tristin Matthew Walley (29, 2.01m, USA) strung together free throws and added a triple as the visitors took the period 27-18, but the margin never dipped into single digits. Eric Bettini's side kept composure to advance.
Shooting set the tone. Soleuvre's 3P was good at 48% (14/29) and their FT good at 83% (10/12). Musel's FT was excellent at 94% (16/17) and 3P good at 43% (10/23), but both teams were below the good threshold inside (SOL 46% 2P; MUS 43% 2P). Rebounds were level (SOL 34, MUS 34), while Soleuvre's 9 steals and 14 made threes were decisive.
Individual standouts:
- Kloman (23, USA) led all scorers with 33 points on 7/11 from three (MVP ranking leader with 27).
- Weis (30, 1.85m) delivered 18 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists on efficient 4/5 2P and 3/6 3P.
- Christian Jeffrey Parker (23, USA) owned the glass with 15 points, 14 rebounds and a block.
- Sandro Sana (21, PRT) added 21 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists (3/3 FT; 6/10 2P; 2/5 3P).
For Musel, Walley (29, 2.01m, USA) had 21 points with a perfect 11/11 FT, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks; captain Tom Welter (31, 1.84m) scored 17, including 2/2 from deep; Okundaye (32, DEU) hit 15 with a late three-point flurry; Maurice Gordon (25, 2.01m, USA) added 12.
Brian Walker Carroll's team showed resilience after halftime, but Soleuvre's early surge and perimeter accuracy carried the day into the quarterfinals.
(AI generated)