Racing Luxembourg B overpowered Black Star Mersch B, 88-54, controlling the game from the opening minutes and sweeping the season series after the 62-48 win in Mersch. The tone was set by an early 11-0 burst to 16-2 in the first quarter, with Sofiane Amadou Bah scoring back-to-back baskets and Yves Le Sayec adding a triple. RACB led 23-11 after 10 minutes.
Black Star briefly cut it to 23-13 to start Q2, but coach Pit Schneider's men responded with 10 unanswered points (Engel twice, captain François Aulner twice, Matteo Seracini) for 33-13. BSMB burned two quick time-outs, yet Racing's perimeter surge (Giorgio Riboldi two threes, Le Sayec from deep, Xavier Engel from outside) pushed the gap to 49-25 before halftime (51-30).
After the break, Nicolas Muller (1.97m, center) anchored the paint with three straight baskets as the margin ballooned past 25. The highest lead came at 84-45 early in the fourth. Bah navigated foul trouble (four fouls) and still finished strong.
Racing's scoring balance stood out: Engel 14 (Season PPG: 18.23), Le Sayec 14 (Season PPG: 11.70), Muller 14 (Season PPG: 8.63), Bah 13 (Season PPG: 11.75), Aulner 11 (Season PPG: 6.18), Seracini 10 (Season PPG: 7.00). Veteran captain Aulner (42) provided steady mid-range scoring, while Riboldi (36, ITA) added two key threes in the second quarter. For Black Star, Ben Hilges led with 15 (Season PPG: 9.86) and Yann Marc Fischels added 13, including five made free throws. Dan Mathes committed two early fouls in the first quarter, and Erik Daling picked up successive fouls late in the period.
In the standings, Racing Luxembourg B climbs to 3rd (ranking gain +2, 9-5), while Black Star Mersch B stays 12th (0-14). Coach Lisa Hilges' side showed flashes Hilges' perimeter scoring, Fischels' trips to the line but Racing dictated pace and momentum throughout.
(AI generated)