Black Star Mersch overpowered North Fox 93-44 in Mersch, controlling the game from the first quarter onward. After an early 5-5 tie, BSM strung together an 11-0 run to close the opening period 22-7. FOX's timeout at 3' could not halt the momentum. The hosts kept a steady grip in the second quarter for 46-24 at halftime, then put the game out of reach with a 35-12 third quarter. A 7-0 burst midway through that period, sparked by consecutive free throws and a layup from Donte Bezel Pope, underlined the mismatch inside. The largest lead reached 49 at the buzzer.
BSM's offense was built on relentless two-point pressure: 39 made two-pointers, just 2 threes and 9 free throws. FOX finished with 16 twos, 3 threes and 3 free throws. Coach Goran Lukic's group attacked the paint early and never let up.
Among the imports, Donte Bezel Pope (Season PPG: 33.4; USA) dominated with 37 points, built on 15 made twos and 7 free throws, while Desean Hampton (Season PPG: 20.25; USA) added 29 (12 twos, 1 three, 2 FTs) and scored in repeated bursts throughout the third quarter. The local core backed them capably: Kevin Sarlette 6, Dean Gindt (34, 2.01m) 6, Norman Kloss 6, Romain Dieterlen 4, Jérôme Besenius 3.
For FOX, captain Charel Linden (Season PPG: 15.58) led with 18 (7 twos, 1 three, 1 FT). Nadjahou Mousel Mounda (Season PPG: 3.08) hit two threes en route to 10, while Jona Hanf (Season PPG: 10.5; 2.04m, BEL) added 6. Scoring support was sparse beyond that.
BSM, winners of both meetings this season (the first 97-71), climb to second place (8-4, +2 in the table). FOX remain ninth (1-11) and are on an extended losing streak. Coach Raphaël Alain Ansion's side briefly threatened in the second quarter through Linden and Mousel Mounda, but BSM's inside avalanche after halftime settled matters early.
(AI generated)