BC Mess edged Avanti Mondorf 69-64 in the M-Nationale 2 Tour qualificatif, a close game decided in the final minute.
Mondorf started sharper (21-17 after Q1), with Dawkins (MON) opening the scoring and driving the hosts. Early rhythm was disrupted by an unsportsmanlike foul on Gauthier (MES), yet Mess flipped the script at the start of Q2 with an 0-8 run: McCallum (MES) poured in 5 points in a row, including a three, for 21-25. Mondorf answered as Dawkins (MON) strung together 6 consecutive points to reclaim a 27-25 lead, before Mess took a 36-37 edge into halftime.
Barnes (MES) caught fire from deep after the break and repeatedly punished closeouts, while Reuter (MON) answered with back-to-back threes to keep it tight at 52-56 after three. The key swing came early in Q4 when Freymann (MES) scored five straight for 52-61, the largest gap (+9). Mondorf rallied through Dawkins and Reuter to 64-67, but late free throws from Cambiotti (MES) and Barnes sealed it.
Numbers underline the story: Mess shot 29% from three (7/24) to Mondorf's 22% (6/27), while Mondorf had the only good shooting line at the stripe (77%, 10/13). Rebounds slightly favored Mondorf (10 OR + 33 DR), but Barnes dominated the glass individually.
Standouts:
- For Mondorf, the American duo led the way: Dawkins (MON) 35 points (7/8 FT, 11/20 2P, 2/6 3P) and Reuter (MON) 27 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists. Among the core, Reichling (MON) added boards and a late basket.
- For Mess, Barnes (MES) delivered a major double-double with 28 points, 16 rebounds, plus 3 steals and 2 blocks, and McCallum (MES) added 24 points and 5 assists. Giovanni Kemevuako (MES) contributed 7 rebounds, and Freymann (MES) provided the pivotal 5-point burst in Q4.
Coach Fernand Musquar's side extends its winning streak to four; Mondorf under coach Philip David Dejworek is on a four-game slide.
(AI generated)