US Heffingen stayed perfect in M-Nationale 2 with a 76-74 road win at Black Frogs Schieren under FIBA rules, decided at the line in the final seconds.
The opening quarter was balanced (24-23), sparked by Khyree Terell Armstead (Season PPG: 17.1, RPG: 8.6, AssPG: 7.3) who strung together back-to-back threes to push FRO ahead. Early in the second, Alexis Kreps' team flipped the game with a 13-0 burst from 24-23 to 24-36 behind Gerry Schuder Minden (Season PPG: 13.7, RPG: 3.4, AssPG: 2.9) from deep and Luke Henry Haasl (2.08m, USA). Nigel Tolentino's timeout slowed it, but HEF still led 50-39 at halftime and stretched the gap to 39-56 (largest lead, +17) after the break.
Schieren answered with a 20-6 run bridging the third quarter, Armstead and Eric Christopher Anderson (Season PPG: 21.0, RPG: 10.6, AssPG: 1.8) powering it to 59-62, before the final quarter saw the hosts surge again: Anderson's three and inside work, then Armstead, edged FRO in front 72-71. The closing minute belonged to leaders HEF Thomas Killian Quarry (Season PPG: 26.1, RPG: 7.2, AssPG: 2.9) coolly hit two free throws, and Schuder Minden added the last point for 74-76.
Shooting told: FRO 47% on 2s, 25% from three and just 33% at the line (3/9), against HEF's 39% 2s, 29% threes, 55% FT. Heffingen's +9 at the stripe was decisive. Rebounds were level (50-50), while Schieren led in assists (23-16) and blocks (8-6).
Haasl (Season PPG: 17.9, RPG: 13.1, AssPG: 1.9) delivered 22 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks and 6 assists game MVP while Schuder Minden added 20 (five threes) and Quarry 13 with clutch free throws. Among the locals, Jordan Rodrigo Carreira Kreps (Season PPG: 8.8, RPG: 4.8, AssPG: 4.0) posted 10 points and 10 boards.
For Schieren's internationals, Armstead erupted for 30 points and 8 assists; Anderson had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks while managing four fouls. From the homegrown core, Rafael Benitovitch Brito Rivera de Jesus (Season PPG: 4.0, RPG: 4.3, AssPG: 1.1) battled for 8 points and 13 rebounds, and Alexandre Pereira Meireles (Season PPG: 7.4, RPG: 5.6, AssPG: 2.3) added 9 and 8.
HEF remain first (11-0) and extend their winning streak to 11; FRO sit third (7-4) and now on a two-game skid. Notably, HEF had also won the first meeting 94-56.
(AI generated)