Arantia Larochette C edged Basket Esch C 79-77 after a tense finish, a game that swung from early control to late drama. Arantia started fast, 26-17 after 10 minutes, and built the highest lead at 43-25 in the second quarter. Coach Sascha Schmit's team still led 46-37 at the break.
Esch's response came after halftime. Darren Marschal (Season PPG: 17.00) ignited an 8-0 run early in the third with back-to-back threes to cut it to 46-45, and his outside touch kept the visitors in striking distance. The quarter ended 61-58 and Esch finally moved in front in the fourth (63-65), then again at 76-77 on a Marschal triple with about a minute to play. Arantia answered: Pedro Nunes Jordao (Season PPG: 16.83; 37, 1.82m, PRT) hit a key two, and Jeff Kirch (44) calmly added the last free throw for the game-winner.
Arantia's production was led by Alvis Kasteckas (Season PPG: 22.20; 42, LTU) with 23 points, relentless inside and at the stripe, supported by Nunes Jordao's 17 and Kirch's 16 (six free throws). Marc Backendorf (37) added 15, including three triples, and Sam Brosius (Season PPG: 20.13) scored 8. A third-quarter technical on Nunes Jordao did not derail the hosts, who also benefited from timely time-outs to slow Esch's momentum.
Esch relied heavily on the arc: 12 made threes. Marschal poured in 28 (five threes) and was on a roll across Q3-Q4; Dorian Da Cruz (Season PPG: 8.90) added 13 and Yann Sowa (Season PPG: 12.25) hit four threes for 12. Raoul Burg (Season PPG: 2.60) contributed 14 with late free throws, while among the pros Antoni Cimino (Season PPG: 8.33) and Maurice Stephane Bisse scored 4 each. A fourth-quarter technical on Marschal briefly punctuated the tension.
In the table, Esch sit 2nd while Arantia are 4th. Esch have now dropped two in a row; Arantia have won four of their last five.
(AI generated)