Basket Esch handled T71 Dudelange 87-66 under FIBA rules, building control from the tip. Franck Meriguet's team opened with an 8-0 run (Hicks, Rugg at the line, Cornu from deep) and closed the first quarter 21-9. Christophe Ney stopped the bleeding early and T71 answered in the second frame, but Esch's cushion held (44-32 at halftime).
The visitors made their strongest push in the third, trimming the deficit to nine behind Jimmie Lee Taylor III (31, 1.98m, USA) and the activity of Mekhi Long (24, 2.01m, USA). Esch replied immediately: Jordan Hicks (35, 2.01m, USA) hit a three and Clancy Rugg (34, 2.03m) added another from long range to restore a double-digit margin, 66-52 after three. Early in the fourth, Corentin Cornu (30, 1.82m, FRA) knocked down three consecutive free throws to make it 72-56; the gap peaked at +22 (83-61) before Esch managed the finish at the stripe.
Numbers tell the story: Esch shot well at the line and inside (FT 19/22, 86% good; 2PT 22/36, 61% good), while T71 struggled from deep (3PT 5/28, 18%). T71 won the glass, especially on the offensive boards (14 OR), but their 19 turnovers against Esch's 10 steals and the hosts' 17 assists (to 5) swung control. T71 were also hurt by two unsportsmanlike fouls (Joe Kalmes in Q1, Long in Q4); wing Davide Grun (25, 1.86m) fouled out in the last quarter.
For Esch, Quinten Nelson (26, 1.85m, USA) led with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists (6/6 FT). Rugg contributed 17 points, 7 boards and a timely triple; Cornu added 17 points with 5/5 FT and 2/4 from three (excellent from 3). Dino Ceman (22, 1.98m) was perfect inside (11 points, 5/5 2PT). For T71, Taylor III scored 27, Long posted 17 points and 11 rebounds (double-double), and Kalmes (29, 2.00m) added 15 points and 11 rebounds.
In the standings, Basket Esch climbs to 5th at 1-1 after opening with a loss, while T71 sits 8th at 1-1 after their initial win.
(AI generated)