T71 Dudelange moved into the Coupe de l'Avenir 1/8 finals with a 89-70 win at VIBBALL Echternach. The visitors struck first: Tunn Wirion (15) opened with five straight points for 0-5, setting a tone for a first quarter that finished 21-25. Echternach stayed in touch early in the second, but T71, guided by coach Eric Jeitz, steadily widened the gap behind efficient scoring from Matteo Agostinucci (14) and Mathéo Velnom Mendes (14, FRA), reaching 32-43 at halftime.
The game broke open after the break. T71 delivered a 19-4 surge from 40-52 to 44-71 in the third quarter, fueled by Wirion's perimeter threat, Bo Wagner (14) from deep and the steady hand of captain Max Schartz (15). That 12-minute frame ended 12-28, and T71 later pushed the lead to a game-high 28 (59-87) in the fourth.
VIBBALL showed pride late under coach Ildiko Vass. Benjamin Mafolo Ondekane (14, ESP) powered a final push, scoring at the rim and from the line in an 11-0 run that trimmed the margin to 70-87 before T71 closed it out. Mafolo led all scorers with 28, helped by Jeremi Adamski (14, POL) with 14 and the duo of Isaac Foz Moutinho (14) and Gustaw Karwacki (14) with 9 apiece. Adrian Constantin Achim added 6 but accumulated four personal fouls.
T71's balance decided it: Wirion finished with 20, Schartz had 18 and authored a personal 5-0 burst early in the fourth to steady the visitors, Agostinucci added 16, Wagner 14 (including a key third-quarter three), and Velnom Mendes 10. Dudelange controlled the middle quarters, while Echternach's late free throws and stops arrived too late to threaten the outcome.
(AI generated)