Etzella Ettelbruck defeated T71 Dudelange 89-81 in the M-Loterie Nationale cup 1/4 final at deichwisen/central, edging a close game with superior shot-making.
After trailing 6-8, Etzella ripped an 11-0 run sparked by two threes from Thomas Henkel (32, 1.90m, DEU) and five straight points from Adrian Jermaine Delph (25, 1.95m, USA) to seize a 17-8 lead and close the first quarter up 22-17. T71 responded in the second behind Mekhi Jermaine Long (24, 2.01m, USA) and Christopher David Jack (27, 1.98m), trimming the gap to 43-41 at halftime.
The third quarter proved decisive. After a brief flare-up that brought double technicals to Nicholas Thomas Davis (24, 2.01m, USA) and Long, Coach Gavin Love's side answered with an 8-1 burst featuring threes from Henkel and Eric Zenners (24, 1.98m) to make it 62-51, on the way to a game-high 13-point lead at 66-53. T71, coached by Tom Schumacher, kept coming in the fourth through Jimmie Lee Taylor III (31, 1.98m, USA), who scored in quick succession and later added a three and multiple free throws to pull it to 84-81. Etzella closed with composure: Henkel and Delph combined for four straight free throws, and Philippe Gutenkauf (30, 1.83m) added one to finish on a 5-0 run.
Etzella's efficiency told: 61% on 2s, an excellent 50% from three (11/22) and 80% at the line, overcoming T71's edge on the glass (offensive rebounds 17-4) and turnovers (ETZ 14, T71 11). Delph, the game MVP, poured in 31 points (11/16 2P, 6/6 FT) with seven rebounds. Davis added 15 points (7/9 2P) and eight boards, while Henkel hit 5/7 from deep for 17. Billy Ray McDaniel Jr (41, 1.96m, USA) chipped in 10 and a key fourth-quarter triple.
For T71, Taylor's 32 points (12/13 FT) and nine fouls drawn led the push, Long had 14 with three steals, and locals Jack (11) and Joe Kalmes (29, 2.00m) added perimeter punch (Kalmes 3/6 3P). Denell Devonn Stephens (39, 1.93m, USA) dominated the glass with 20 rebounds, including 11 offensive. Etzella's shot selection and perimeter accuracy ultimately separated the winners in the closing minutes.
(AI generated)