North Fox B edged T71 Dudelange C, 72-65, in Reuler after a tight, defensive first half that sat at 26-26. T71C had the better start (12-10 after Q1), but FOXB nosed ahead 43-41 after three. The game broke open early in the fourth when FOXB strung together a 7-2 spurt to 50-43, then built the night's largest lead at 66-57.
The hosts rode the power of Mauricio Gomes (25 pts) through three quarters, with repeated finishes inside and a timely triple. Raphael Johan Nkoa (17 pts, 1.81 m, CMR) added balance with a three and tough baskets at key moments, including a 2+1 to rebuild the cushion in the fourth. In the closing minutes, FOXB's youngsters made winning plays: 16-year-old guard Fynn Schlechter (8 pts) hit back-to-back free throws to push it to 69-63 and later delivered the final field goal; Patrick Thoma Papp (5 pts) chipped in two late twos and a free throw. Captain Joao Da Silva Moreira (7 pts, 22, PRT) buried a big three for 50-43.
For T71C, 18-year-old Karim Chakir exploded for 36 points, relentlessly attacking the rim and piling up free throws. He scored multiple times in succession from the line in the fourth to trim the gap to 69-65. Veteran Aldin Kocan (14 pts, 45, SVN) provided secondary scoring, while Hendrik Kickert added 6 and Ruben Melanda hit a late three.
Foul trouble shaped the finish. FOXB lost both Gomes and Nkoa on five fouls in the last period, yet maintained composure to close it out. T71C also saw Francisco Villoldo and Melanda foul out; an initial unsportmanlike on Melanda was later amended to a personal. Time-outs by coach Paulo Melanda (T71C) tried to halt FOXB's runs, while coach Joao Da Silva Moreira's group executed enough late half-court offense to seal it.
With this win, North Fox B moves to 1st place (+3) at 3-1 and extends its sequence to two victories. T71C drops to 2nd at 3-1, their three-game winning streak halted.
(AI generated)