Racing Luxembourg controlled AB Contern 77-66 in Contern/central, building an early cushion and never letting it slip. After Contern opened 2-0 from the line, Racing replied to take a 22-10 first-quarter lead. The decisive stretch came midway through the second: after Contern had closed to 26-28, Racing answered with a 17-2 run to reach 45-28 at halftime. Antunio Xavier Bivins (USA, 1.99m) poured in 11 points in that phase and finished the night with 35 points (13/23 on 2s, 6/9 FT) and 10 rebounds.
Contern reacted after the break through Joshua Armani Ferguson (Season PPG: 18.18, RPG: 11.55, AssPG: 2.73), whose activity on the glass sparked a 6-0 close to the third quarter (49-60). But Uro Niksic's side kept control in the fourth, leaning again on Bivins and Brendan Adam Temple's inside presence. An unsportsmanlike by Steve Lanners in the final period did not alter the trend.
Racing's shot profile told the story: 50.9% on 2-pointers (good) and dominance on the boards (44-32, including 15 offensive). Temple delivered a double-double (14 points, 13 rebounds), while Lanners added 7. Flenard Whitfield (35) contributed 9 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. Racing also forced 22 turnovers (15 steals), key in keeping Contern at arm's length.
For Anthony Franck Tomba's team, Ferguson posted a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double with 4 assists and 2 blocks. Landon Andrew Lowder (25, USA) led the scoring with 18 points and 7 assists, and Jeffrey Nicolas Jamal Schumacher added 12. Contern shot 47% on 2s and 30% from deep, unable to consistently threaten the interior.
In the standings, Racing climbs three places to 8th, stopping a two-game slide, while Contern remains 12th.
(AI generated)