Bascharage Hedgehogs controlled BC Mess 91-73 in the M-Nationale 2 tour qualificatif, building the win with a decisive third quarter after a tight first half. The opening period was balanced (19-18), with Cobie Logan Barnes (Season PPG: 33.00, RPG: 12.15, AssPG: 2.23) stringing 7 points in quick succession for Mess. Early in the second, Deanthony Kendrick McCallum (Season PPG: 25.73, RPG: 4.62, AssPG: 2.62) scored 5 in a row to push MES ahead 22-25, but Bascharage replied to reach halftime up 46-39, powered by three triples from Jeffrey Early Jr. (Season PPG: 28.55, RPG: 7.67, AssPG: 3.47).
The turning point came midway through the third: after Mess closed to 53-49, coach Nicolas Schaefer's team ripped a 15-2 burst keyed by back-to-back threes from Veljko Dragasevic (Season PPG: 15.50, RPG: 5.85, AssPG: 5.85) and relentless inside work by Aziz Ndiaye (2.03m, 29, SEN) to 68-51 and later to the largest lead at +23 (82-59). Mess never recovered despite a late push in the fourth.
Bascharage's duo dominated: Early Jr. delivered 37 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists, while Ndiaye (Season PPG: 17.80, RPG: 14.77, AssPG: 3.00) added 25 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists, earning the game's MVP nod. Dragasevic contributed 15 points and 7 assists, and Deni Sabotic added timely scoring, including a third-quarter three and a three-point play in the fourth.
Barnes answered with 29 points and 15 rebounds for Mess, and McCallum posted 21 points and 7 assists. Fabbri Bruno Zinédine Gauthier chipped in 7 points (5/5 FT).
Shooting split the game: Bascharage hit a good 50% from three (12/24) and stacked 24 assists on 33 field goals, while owning the glass (47-37 rebounds, including 38 defensive). Mess had good free throws (81.8%) and 2-point accuracy (52.6%) but struggled from deep (21.6%, 8/37). Fouls were even (13-13) with no foul-outs.
Context note: Mess traveled with two professionals, Bascharage with one. Form-wise, Bascharage string their second straight win after a four-loss slide; Mess are on a two-game skid. Coach Stéphane Frentzel's side led in phases, but the third-quarter run decided the game.
(AI generated)