Racing Luxembourg, on a five-game winning streak, edged Mambra Mamer 87-82 in Mamer and took a third win in four meetings this season.
The game started strongly for Darko Ristic's team. Mamer jumped to 16-1 and reached a 15-point lead, with Davy David Rocha and Maid Adrovic setting the tone. Racing reacted well, closing the first quarter on a 19-6 run to cut it to 22-20. The visitors then stayed close all through the second period, but Mamer still went into halftime ahead 46-43.
Mamer kept control for much of the third quarter and led 68-61 after 30 minutes. Domenick Sleva (Season PPG: 26.65, RPG: 15.97, AssPG: 3.14) was the main force with 28 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Adrovic, 18, added 18 points with good shooting: 3/3 FT, 3/5 on 2-pointers and 3/8 from three. Alan Bedirhanoglu (Season PPG: 14.40, RPG: 5.09, AssPG: 3.03) scored 20, but his third-quarter unsportsmanlike foul helped Racing trim the gap from 62-53 to 62-57, and he later fouled out.
The decisive stretch came in the fourth. Mamer still led 76-69, but Adam Radomirovic's side answered with a 16-3 run. Johan Bouttet hit 3/4 from deep and scored key baskets, while Antunio Xavier Bivins (Season PPG: 27.77, RPG: 9.55, AssPG: 1.24) dominated the comeback with 33 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 blocks. Brendan Temple added 16 points, and Flenard Whitfield finished with 10.
Racing won it with late execution: after Bedirhanoglu made it 79-76, the visitors scored nine straight for 85-79. Team numbers were important too: Racing had only 7 turnovers against 18, forced 11 steals, and shot a good 77.3% on free throws. Mamer controlled the boards 50-36, but their 60% at the line hurt them late.
(AI generated)