R'sidence Walferdange beat Etzella Ettelbruck 87-77 in the qualification round, overturning a double-digit deficit with a dominant fourth quarter. Etzella opened better: Thomas Henkel hit back-to-back threes for 6-13 and the visitors took the first period 18-21. R'sidence reacted before the break behind John Clark Slajchert and Brendan T Bailey to lead 45-41 at halftime.
The game flipped again after the interval. Sparked by a Philippe Gutenkauf flurry and steady inside work from Nicholas Thomas Davis, Etzella strung together a 22-7 stretch to their largest lead, 66-54, and entered the last period up 59-68. R'sidence then produced the decisive answer: a 12-1 run to 71-69, and from there controlled the closing minutes. Two late unsportsmanlike fouls on Etzella (Fr'd'ric Gutenkauf and Tim Schomer) sent Slajchert to the line for four straight makes that settled it.
Numbers tell the story. R'sidence shot well at the stripe (21/25, 84% - good) and inside the arc (27/49, 55% - good), compensating for a low 3-point night (4/21, 19%). Etzella struggled from deep (7/32, 22%) and at the line (18/26, 69%). The home side owned the glass (48-38 total; 38 defensive), with turnovers nearly even (11-10).
Top performers
- R'sidence locals: Oliver Vujakovic (Season PPG: 13.67, RPG: 7.17, AssPG: 2.67) authored a 17-point, 15-rebound double-double. Tom Schomer added timely fourth-quarter points.
- R'sidence imports: John Clark Slajchert (Season PPG: 23.67, RPG: 5.00, AssPG: 3.17) led with 32 points, an excellent 10/14 on 2s and a perfect 6/6 at the line, drawing 9 fouls; Bailey (Season PPG: 21.67, RPG: 9.83, AssPG: 1.17) posted 18 and 11 boards. Filip Vranjes (2.03m, HRV) had 11 and 10 before fouling out.
- Etzella locals: Philippe Gutenkauf (Season PPG: 17.50, RPG: 4.50, AssPG: 5.88) scored 19 with 9 rebounds and 5 assists, driving the third-quarter surge.
- Etzella imports: Davis (Season PPG: 24.20, RPG: 9.70, AssPG: 2.70) delivered 29 points and 11 rebounds; Adrian Jermaine Delph (Season PPG: 22.00, RPG: 5.20, AssPG: 2.90) had 20 before fouling out.
MVP: Slajchert (28 ranking points). Coach Rainer Kloss managed R'sidence's late turnaround; in Q3 Etzella coach Gavin Alexander Love received a technical.
Standings context: Etzella are 4th, R'sidence 7th. R'sidence halted a two-game skid; Etzella's three-game winning run ended.
(AI generated)