Telstar Hesperange E controlled T71 Dudelange C 75-49 after a balanced start and a decisive middle stretch in Holleschb2 (terrain 2). The first quarter was tight (17-17), with T71 briefly ahead 17-15 before Denis Pleimling (30, 1.86m) tied it late. The game turned in the second quarter: Telstar opened with a 6-0 burst and closed the half on an 8-0 run to lead 37-24, holding the visitors to just seven points in the period.
After halftime, T71 tried to rally behind Karim Chakir (Season PPG: 21.6), who strung together 3 straight points to pull it to 41-32 and later helped cut it to 45-39. Telstar answered immediately: Alec Goedert (Season PPG: 17.8) and Pleimling rebuilt the cushion, and Christophe Thil (Season PPG: 4.67) buried a three for 52-39. The hosts opened the fourth with five quick points to 61-42 and never looked back, pushing the final margin and reaching their biggest lead at the buzzer (+26).
Key sequences:
- Q2: Telstar 8-0 to end the half (from 29-24 to 37-24).
- Q4 start: 5-0 by Telstar to 61-42.
Top performers:
- Telstar: Pleimling 23, Goedert 23, Thil 12, Mike Bausch (Season PPG: 8.5) 13. Gilbert Pividor chipped in 4 and physical defense.
- T71: Chakir 19 led the offense; Schreiner (T71C) added 14; Charles-André Lys (31, FRA) scored 6; Aldin Kocan (Season PPG: 7.6) and Luc Reuter had 4 each.
Discipline notes: an unsportsmanlike foul on each side (Schreiner, Max Rock), plus a technical to Paulo Melanda in Q4 reflected T71's frustration. Coach Christophe Thil's side managed the moments well, using timeouts to steady runs.
Standings impact: Telstar sit 2nd (despite a one-place drop overall), while T71 are 6th with a two-place slide. Form-wise, Telstar stop their mini-skid and win again after two losses, whereas T71 suffer a third straight defeat.
(AI generated)