Black Frogs Schieren B edged Luxembourg Phoenix 69-62 in Frisange, overturning a halftime deficit with a composed fourth quarter. The visitors led 18-16 after a balanced first period, but Phoenix, guided by coach Hichem El Basri, flipped the momentum in Q2 with a 10-0 run (from 19-27 to 29-27) powered by François Tegho and Simone Buran. Phoenix were up 38-32 at the break and still ahead 49-47 after three.
Coach Bob Hirt's side won it in the last act. After Phoenix moved to 56-52, the Frogs answered with a 10-0 surge to 62-56, then closed on a 17-6 finish. Hirt (40) authored the stretch, scoring 14 points in the fourth and 6 in the closing sequence, including back-to-back threes to seal it. Tim Ittenbach added key calm at the line, opening his night with four free throws in a row in Q1.
Top performers
- Black Frogs: Bob Hirt 24 points (Season PPG: 5.59; matched his season high of 24), Manuel Delgado Ferreira 18 (Season PPG: 7.20; equals season max 18), Tim Ittenbach 12 (Season PPG: 6.50). Erikson Medina Vezo (33) chipped in 8 with timely baskets.
- Luxembourg Phoenix: Simone Buran 17 (Season PPG: 18.50; five made threes), François Tegho 16 (Season PPG: 20.25), captain Joseph Zeidan 15 and 3/3 at the line, despite a Q2 technical.
Game flow notes
- Ittenbach's four straight free throws steadied FROB early.
- Phoenix's 10-0 Q2 push built the halftime cushion.
- The decisive spell came midway Q4: from 56-52, Black Frogs strung together a 10-0 run and never looked back; the largest lead arrived at the buzzer (+7).
Head-to-head, Black Frogs sweep the series (63-52, 69-62) and climb to 1st place (ranking gain +1). Phoenix remain 8th at 1-10, still searching after a long loss streak.
(AI generated)