Arantia Larochette B stayed perfect in the M-Nationale 3 tour qualificatif, winning 70-57 at Telstar Hesperange in Holleschb. The visitors seized control immediately with a 13-0 start and closed the first quarter up 15-7. Telstar found some rhythm in the second frame, but Arantia's balance kept the gap intact for 36-25 at halftime. After the break, threes from the perimeter (notably Marc Backendorf and Sam Brosius) and steady inside touches widened the margin to 53-35 after three. The lead peaked around 19 early in the fourth (58-39) before Telstar's late push trimmed it, but never into single digits.
Donovan Delhommais led Arantia with 17, while Brosius added 16 and Philippe Oly (30, 2.00m, Forward/Center) contributed 15. Pedro Nunes Jordao chipped in 8 and organized the tempo, with Backendorf (8) and Luc Kirpach (6) supplying timely outside shots. On Telstar's side, Jamie Kappler (Season PPG: 11.71) paced the hosts with 15, Max Klepper (Season PPG: 13.67) had 14, and captain Tom Roden scored 11. Christian Italia (25, ITA) sparked the late surge with back-to-back baskets in the fourth and finished with 12.
Key moments came early: Arantia's 13 unanswered points under coach Pedro Nunes Jordao set a tone Telstar never fully erased. In the fourth, Pit Meintz's team produced a 5-0 spell to get within 48-59, but Arantia answered promptly and managed the closing minutes. A late bench technical against Telstar briefly punctuated the final quarter.
In the standings, Arantia (7-0) remain top and extend their winning streak to eight. Telstar (2-5) sit fifth after this result.
(AI generated)