In the relegation round, first-placed Racing Luxembourg won 90-79 on the floor of second-placed Musel Pikes and continued its strong run with an 8th straight victory. It was also Racing's third win in a row against Musel this season, giving RAC the 3-1 head-to-head edge.
The game turned several times. Racing led 21-16 after the first quarter, with Antunio Xavier Bivins (Season PPG: 27.29, RPG: 9.52, AssPG: 1.29) already setting the tone through 12 opening-quarter points. In the second period RAC stretched the margin to 37-27, their first double-digit lead, before Musel answered well. Jaylen Alexander Key, the 29-year-old USA forward/center, scored 10 points late in the half and cut it to 38-36 at the break.
Musel briefly grabbed momentum after halftime. Key scored five straight points and pushed the hosts ahead 44-41. That was Musel's best spell, but Racing answered immediately with a 20-9 run to close the third quarter at 61-53. Bivins, Steve Lanners (Season PPG: 9.96, RPG: 2.70, AssPG: 1.47) and Emanuel Loncaric (Season PPG: 6.81, RPG: 2.79, AssPG: 0.69) were central in that response.
Early in the fourth, Racing built their biggest lead at 70-57. Musel still came back to 79-75 behind Everette Hammond IV (Season PPG: 21.64, RPG: 5.00, AssPG: 2.40), who scored 15 of his 29 points in the last quarter, and Konan Boglin Oth (Season PPG: 13.32, RPG: 8.33, AssPG: 1.70), who added 15 points and 12 rebounds. Racing then closed with better control: Loncaric scored six straight in the quarter, and RAC finished with a decisive 11-4 run.
Racing were more efficient overall: 42% on 2-pointers and 58% on free throws, compared with Musel's 37% and 52%. They also had the edge in rebounds (48-45), steals (10-6) and turnovers (13 against 16). Coach Adam Radomirovic's team handled the key swings better, while coach Guy Schmit saw Musel get strong production from Hammond and Key (21 points, 14 rebounds).
(AI generated)