Black Frogs Schieren controlled Nitia Bettembourg 84-59 in the M-Nationale 2 tour qualificatif, building an early cushion and breaking the game open after halftime.
A 10-0 blast in the first quarter flipped 2-2 into 2-12, fuelled by Borian Tymi (five points in a row) and two quick threes from Alexandre Pereira Meireles. The Black Frogs closed the first 16-26. Nitia responded in the second: Cyril Jenin hit from deep and El Hadji Modou Thiam Diop worked inside to trim it to 33-38 before another long-range make by Pereira steadied the visitors for 35-43 at the break.
The third quarter (9-23) decided it. Eric Christopher Anderson (26, 2.00m, USA) dominated the paint and helped push the lead to 44-66 after 30 minutes despite a Nitia timeout midway through the period. Pereira opened the fourth with yet another three and Schieren's largest gap peaked at +27 (57-84) before the final 59-84.
Shooting told the story: Schieren posted good percentages (2P 55%, 3P 46%), while Nitia paired excellent free throws (9/10, 90%) with cold long-range shooting (4/20, 20%). Nitia actually won the boards 37-32 but their 25 turnovers (13 opponent steals) undercut that edge. Coach Nigel Tolentino's side moved the ball (21 assists) and spaced the floor; Bradley Gene Melton's team couldn't convert enough from outside.
Top performers:
- Black Frogs: Anderson (Season PPG: 21.0, RPG: 10.4, AssPG: 2.9) posted 22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Pereira Meireles (Season PPG: 7.36, RPG: 5.3, AssPG: 2.5) buried 7/10 from three for 19 points. Tymi (19, 2.00m) added 18, and Nemanja Mladenovic contributed 10 points and 5 assists. Anderson was named MVP.
- Nitia: Louis-Stéphane Lobe Lobas (Season PPG: 9.9, RPG: 13.26, AssPG: 3.16) produced 14 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists despite four fouls. Thiam Diop (18, ESP) was efficient with 14 points (8/13 2P), 9 rebounds and 5 assists; Christopher Teck added 9.
Schieren featured one professional on the roster; Nitia had none. Nitia's losing run extends, while Schieren bounce back after back-to-back losses.
(AI generated)