T71 Dudelange edged Résidence Walferdange 86-85 in Walfer, holding off a late surge after leading most of the night. T71 built a 25-19 first-quarter cushion behind a blistering start from Mekhi Long (24, 2.01m, USA), who scored his team's first eight points. Christophe Ney's side stretched the gap to 50-41 at halftime and peaked at +11 (50-39) when Christopher Jack (27, 1.98m) hit from deep early in the second quarter.
Résidence responded after the break. Brendan T. Bailey (28, 2.03m, USA) ignited the comeback with a flurry of threes across the middle quarters, and Filip Vranjes (26, 2.03m, HRV) punished inside and was perfect at the stripe (6/6, excellent). The hosts closed to 69-61 after three, then made it a one-possession game in the final minute: from 74-83, they went on an 11-3 push fueled by Vranjes at the line, a Bailey triple and John Clark Slajchert (25, 1.82m, USA). Jack's late free throw for 86-82 stood as the winning point after Slajchert drilled a last-gasp three for 85-86.
Key performers made the difference on both sides. For T71, Long delivered 25 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists, while Jimmie Taylor III (31, 1.98m, USA) added 22 and timely fourth-quarter baskets. Joe Kalmes (29, 2.00m) chipped in 16 and 3 steals; Jack scored 12 with three triples and the decisive free throw. For Résidence, Bailey hit 7 threes en route to 26, Slajchert scored 22 (6/9 2PT), and Vranjes posted 18 with excellent finishing (6/7 2PT).
Numbers tell the story: Résidence shot well across the board (FT 10/13=77%, good; 2PT 18/27=67%, good; 3PT 13/35=37%, good). T71 compensated for weaker shooting (FT 15/27=56%; 3PT 9/27=33%) with the glass (35-28 rebounds), fewer turnovers (9-12) and more steals (6-3). Three unsportsmanlike fouls against Résidence also shifted momentum at key moments.
T71's second straight win lifts them to first place (3-1), while Dragan Stipanovic's Résidence falls to 2-2 and fourth.
(AI generated)