Sparta Bertrange edged T71 Dudelange 81-77 at the Atert, staying perfect (11-0) and atop the table, while T71 slipped to 6-5 and a third straight defeat. The game was tight for 30 minutes (19-19, 38-40 at half). T71 started the third with a burst driven by Ivan Do Rosario Delgado (18 pts), who piled up three straight team baskets and 8 points in that stretch to build a 44-50 lead. The turning point came moments later: a U2 on Joe Kalmes (12 pts) at 44-50 yielded free throws and possession, and Sparta closed the quarter ahead 58-55.
Karl Abou Khalil's team then opened the fourth with a 7-0 run, capped by Jarvis Terrill Williams (32 pts) for 65-55. The hosts built their largest lead at 79-66 after a Max Logelin three. T71, guided by Yves André Defraigne, rallied late behind Jimmie Lee Taylor III (22 pts) and Mekhi Jermaine Long (18 pts), getting as close as 81-77, but Williams secured it at the line. Kalmes later fouled out, reducing T71's interior options in the final minute.
Sparta's efficiency at the stripe and in the paint told: 22/27 FT (81%, good) and 22/37 on 2s (59%, good), while T71 managed 5/7 FT and 27/46 on 2s (59%) but only 6/24 from three (25%). The visitors dominated the offensive glass (10-3) yet were hurt by fouls (23) and the 20-19 turnover exchange.
Williams (Season PPG: 27.55, RPG: 6.07, AssPG: 2.40) delivered an outstanding shooting night: 10/11 FT (91%), 8/10 on 2s (80%) and 2/4 from three (50%) and was named MVP. Among the domestic core, Yannick Verbeelen (14 pts; Season PPG: 8.45, RPG: 3.67, AssPG: 2.87) and Logelin (13 pts; Season PPG: 17.09, RPG: 5.60, AssPG: 3.40) provided key scoring, while Victor Iwuakor (8 pts, 12 reb, 4 blk; 25 years, 2.01m, USA) anchored the rim. For T71, the foreign duo Taylor (Season PPG: 21.91, RPG: 6.09, AssPG: 3.45) and Long (Season PPG: 16.91, RPG: 9.00, AssPG: 1.55) led the charge, with Do Rosario Delgado outstanding among the domestic group. Lennart Holsten (29 years, 2.05m, DEU) added timely baskets for Sparta.
(AI generated)