Musel Pikes B overpowered US Heffingen C in Dreiborn, 87-47, behind a long-range barrage and a dominant second quarter that broke the game open. Heffingen actually started sharper, building a 3-9 edge, but the hosts answered with a 15-5 swing to close the first period up 18-14. The key stretch came before halftime: from 22-18, Musel Pikes closed the half on a 21-4 surge, including eight straight points by Eric Steffen, to lead 43-22.
Steffen (Season PPG: 18.00) delivered a season-high 42 points with 7 triples, 9 two-pointers and 3 free throws, repeatedly punishing early defensive gaps and then sealing the outcome after the break. Jeff Konsbruck (37) added 20, including 6 threes, while Guy Schmit (Season PPG: 15.60) chipped in 8 with two long-range hits. Musel Pikes finished with 15 made threes and 19 two-pointers, a balance that kept Heffingen chasing.
Heffingen's resistance came through Axel Mertes (Season PPG: 14.00) with 14 points and Bob Banzer (Season PPG: 5.00) who matched his season best with 10. The 17-year-old Danilo Hess (1.90m) added 11, including a pair from deep, and Luc Wagener (43) hit two threes for 7. Captain Jeff Wagener's foul trouble (three P2 and one P) limited his impact.
A brief Heffingen push in the third narrowed it to 45-26, but coach Steffen's side kept answering from outside. Early in the fourth, Steffen, Steffen again, and Konsbruck hit three straight triples for a 9-0 run to 72-41, and the gap peaked at +40 at the buzzer.
In the standings, Musel Pikes B climb to 5th (4-4, +1), while Heffingen C remain 8th (2-6), now on a three-game losing streak. Coach Steffen's rotations and timely timeout responses contrasted with coach Wagner's attempts to halt the second-quarter slide, which proved decisive.
(AI generated)