Sparta Bertrange beat AB Contern 76-86 at contern/central in Round 4 before 150 spectators. The game opened tight (18-19), stayed within two possessions to halftime (38-42), then tilted in the third quarter (16-25) before Contern's late surge (22-19) proved insufficient.
Key swing came right after the break: Victor Iwuakor (25, 2.01m, USA) scored three baskets in a row for a 6-0 start to Q3, stretching the margin to double figures. Mid-quarter, after a personal plus a technical on Contern, Jarvis Williams (36, 1.98m, USA) calmly sank four consecutive free throws, pushing Sparta to control. The visitors' largest lead reached +16 (54-70). Contern answered in Q4 with a 12-2 run fuelled by threes from Joshua Ferguson (28, 2.03m, USA) and Christophe Mertzig (26, 1.88m) Mertzig hit three triples in the last period trimming it to 69-76, but Sparta closed through the paint and at the stripe.
Sparta's efficiency at the line (19/22, 86% - excellent) and inside (29/47, 62% - good) offset a cold night from deep (3/20, 15%). Contern shot 9/12 free throws (75% - good) and 20/35 on twos (57% - good) but only 9/27 from three (33%) and committed 17 turnovers to Sparta's 11.
Williams delivered an MVP performance: 30 points, 12/13 FT (excellent), 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a remarkable 12 fouls drawn in 40 minutes. Iwuakor added 21 points on 10/14 from two (71% - excellent) and 6 boards, while Max Logelin (22, 1.87m) chipped in 15 (5/5 FT; 3/3 2P).
For Contern, Ferguson posted a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double and drilled two late threes. Christopher Paul Barton Jr (29, USA) added 16 on 4/6 2P, 2/4 3P and 4/4 FT (excellent), Lazar Lukic (23, 1.95m) scored 16 and a key third-quarter three, and Mertzig contributed 13 with a perfect 4/4 from deep (excellent).
Karl Abou Khalil's side imposed its inside game and foul pressure; Gabor Boros's team fought back with perimeter shooting. Sparta remains perfect (4 wins in a row), while Contern's skid extends to four.
(AI generated)