Kordall Steelers edged Basket Esch 100-99 in Niederkorn, a game decided at the line. After a 27-27 first quarter, Esch controlled the second behind Damien Thill's burst (a two and back-to-back threes) and steady free throws to lead 52-45 at the break. The game flipped in the third: Robertas Jonaitis drilled consecutive threes, Gianluca Pellegrino Ombroni added another and Jackson Scott Sivills joined from deep, turning 48-52 into 62-58. Kordall won the quarter 36-22 and built their largest lead at 80-69.
Esch answered in the fourth. Jordan Hicks strung together four straight points, Clancy Rugg kept scoring, and Quinten Nelson's three pushed Esch ahead 91-87, later 95-89. Kordall's response came at the stripe and from distance: Andre Snoddy free throws, Jonaitis inside, Sivills at the line, then Pellegrino's three for 97-97. Snoddy split for 98-97, Dino Ceman replied 98-99, before Jonaitis (25, 1.94m, LTU) sank two free throws for the game-winner.
Shooting told the story: Kordall were excellent from three (14/23, 60.9%) and solid at the line (24/28, 85.7%), compensating for 45.9% on twos. Esch hit 60.5% on twos and 86.7% FTs but just 33.3% from deep. Team balance was close (assists 17-15 KDS; turnovers 15-17; rebounds 29-31 with Esch grabbing 7 offensive).
Jonaitis (Season PPG: 28.0, RPG: 11.6, AssPG: 1.7) led Kordall with 32 points, a perfect 3/3 from deep and the decisive free throws. Sivills (Season PPG: 21.33, RPG: 6.4, AssPG: 1.4) added 24, and Pellegrino Ombroni (Season PPG: 15.17, RPG: 6.63, AssPG: 4.38) had 17 with 7 assists. Snoddy (22, 1.98m, USA) delivered 17 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out.
For Esch, Rugg (Season PPG: 19.25, RPG: 7.88, AssPG: 1.25) posted 31 with 11/11 FTs; Nelson (Season PPG: 21.25, RPG: 6.5, AssPG: 3.13) had 17 and 5 assists; Thill produced 19 off the bench. Hicks (Season PPG: 14.25, RPG: 5.0, AssPG: 1.75) fouled out late.
Coaches Antonio José Lopez Peña and Franck Meriguet managed the swings with timely timeouts. In the table, Kordall climbs three spots to 7th, logging back-to-back wins after a four-game slide; Esch sits 3rd at 4-4.
(AI generated)