Sparta Bertrange B controlled RACB 76-62 after a game that swung sharply between quarters. Under coach Karl Abou Khalil, SPAB set the tone with a 18-6 first period, holding Racing to just six points. Xavier Engel (RACB captain, 37) had his team's first three points and later ignited the comeback, pouring in 11 in the second quarter alone to pull the visitors within 35-30 at halftime.
Racing, coached by Pit Schneider, completed the chase early in the third when Mathieu Gillardin (2.05m) hit from deep for 37-37. SPAB answered immediately: Pol Schwartz's triple broke the tie, Victor Stein (28, 1.90m) added another from long range and Max Hagen caught fire. The hosts ripped a 13-3 surge to 50-40 and never looked back. Early in the fourth, Lennart Holsten (22 pts; 2.05m, DEU, 29) and 16-year-old Konstantinos Laliotis buried a 2+3 to stretch the gap to a game-high +15 (61-46).
Key sequences defined the evening: Hagen drilled five triples and scored in bunches in the third; Le Sayec replied with seven straight points for RACB early in the second; RACB guard Sam Hilger picked up three quick fouls in the first quarter, hampering their backcourt rotation. SPAB's defense in Q1 and timely perimeter shot-making after the 37-37 tie were decisive.
Top performers
- SPAB: Holsten 22 dominated inside; Hagen 17 with five 3s; Schwartz 7 including the go-ahead three.
- RACB: Engel 22 (Season PPG: 17.89) led the charge; Le Sayec 13 (30, FRA) added range; Gillardin 7 hit a crucial third-quarter three.
Form and table context: SPAB string together a third straight win and sit 7th. RACB remain 2nd but drop a second in a row.
(AI generated)