Basket Esch D controlled the key moments in Mersch, defeating Black Star Mersch C 60-51 in M-Division 4. The visitors imposed their rhythm early, taking a 19-10 first-quarter lead behind a quick 5-point burst from Yannis Czerwonka and the first of several deep makes by Moris Czerwonka. BSMC answered in the second frame: Jo Philipps and Daniel Goehlhausen trimmed the gap, and the hosts won the quarter 18-12 to trail just 28-31 at halftime.
The third quarter proved decisive. Yannis opened with a three, Richard Czerwonka added free throws, and Moris caught fire. Esch built a 16-point cushion during a 16-5 stretch, their largest lead of the night, with Moris stringing together multiple baskets including a key three. He would later foul out near the end of the third, but the damage was done as LALD entered the last period up 53-38.
BSMC pushed back in the fourth. Pol Rodesch led a 6-0 run, aided by Yann Marc Fischels, to close to 48-57, but Esch managed the clock and finished it off at the line. The closing minutes were tense, with an unsportsmanlike foul on Richard Czerwonka and another on Max Heiderscheid; earlier, Luc Gantrel had been assessed a technical.
Top performers:
- BSMC: Rodesch 13 points before fouling out; Philipps 9; Fischels (BSMC) 8; Goehlhausen (Season PPG: 11.8) added 6.
- LALD: Moris Czerwonka (17) poured in 21 with four threes; Yannis Czerwonka (LALD) 16; player-coach Richard Czerwonka (55; Season PPG: 6.38) 9; Asad Bauer 6; veteran Raouf Riahi (43, FRA) 2.
In the standings, Esch D move to 2-2 in 7th and are on a two-game roll after a rough start, while BSMC remain 0-4 in 9th. Coach Claire Marnach's team showed resolve late, but coach Richard Czerwonka's side owned the third quarter and managed the finish.
(AI generated)