Arantia Larochette left Contern with a 87-77 win after a game of swings and timely shot-making. Karolis Abramavicius' team blitzed the first quarter 30-16, fueled by early triples from Tyrell Sturdivant (27) and Kevon Lamar Godwin (27, 1.88 m, USA). Oleksandr Senchenko added back-to-back threes for 14-25, and Edson Rafael De Sousa Silva (18, 1.88 m, PRT) closed the period with a three for 16-30. The guests built a highest lead of 19 by halftime (34-53).
Gabor Boros' side reacted after the break. Contern strung together a 13-0 run in the third (from 40-57 to 53-57) behind Olivier Summer (10), Lazar Lukic (14) and Jayden Idylsis House (29, 1.92 m, 23, USA), trimming it to 57-64 before the last quarter. Godwin's triple to start the fourth immediately restored a double-digit gap, and Arantia controlled the finish. Captain Mathieu Arendt (10) fouled out late; Arantia capitalised at the stripe as De Sousa Silva and Godwin combined for seven free throws in the closing minutes.
Shooting told the story: Arantia posted good percentages at the line (76% FT, 19/25) and inside the arc (56% 2P, 19/34). Contern hit a solid 54% on 2s (27/50) but struggled at the line (56%, 5/9) and from three (33%, 6/18). Attendance: 220 (207 paying).
Top performers
- Foreign contingent: House was the game's standout with excellent efficiency (2P 8/9, 3P 3/5), plus 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Joshua Armani Ferguson (2.03 m, 28, USA) battled for 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. For Arantia, Godwin shot well from deep (3P 5/11) and Sturdivant added a key fourth-quarter three within his 27.
- Domestically trained core: De Sousa Silva delivered 18 with excellent splits (2P 4/5, 3P 1/2, FT 7/8), 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Summer (10) and Lukic (14; 2P 7/11) anchored Contern's reply.
Notably, the professional balance differed: Contern lined up two professionals while Arantia had one. In the table, Arantia climbs four places to 8th (1-1; points 160-157), snapping their opening loss. Contern stays 10th at 0-2 (139-171).
(AI generated)