Black Star Mersch overpowered Amicale Steesel 105-86 in Steinsel in the M-Coupe de l'Avenir 1/8 finales, building their win on a dominant third quarter and a high-scoring core. BSM edged the first two periods (29-25, then 32-30) to reach halftime up 61-55 after a steady stream of points from captain Mike GÖHLHAUSEN (15) and interior finishes by Rolando Charle Nienaber Mendes (15, PRT). GÖHLHAUSEN was particularly reliable from the line in the second quarter.
The game broke open after the break. From 65-69, BSM strung together a 10-0 run to 65-79, sparked by three consecutive baskets from Alvyn Madoki Bigas (15, ESP), and never looked back. That 11-25 third quarter set the tone, with BSM's lead peaking at +22 early in the fourth. Coach Aleksandar Petrovic's side managed the tempo with timely time-outs and repeated productive trips to the stripe for Nienaber Mendes.
Amicale, guided by coach Thorsten Freiheit, stayed in touch early behind the shot-making of Felix Engel (15), who finished with 32. Vincent Segers (14, BEL) added 15, while Andreas Nys (starter) and Miguel Lopez Fernandez (14, ESP) had 12 each. Nys later fouled out, which hurt Amicale's rotation. The fourth quarter also saw Lopez Fernandez receive an unsportsmanlike (U2) and a technical (T1), leading to a game disqualification, halting Amicale's attempt to trim the gap despite Engel and Segers' late scores.
BSM's trio carried the offense: GÖHLHAUSEN poured in 37, Nienaber Mendes 29, and Madoki Bigas 28, combining for 94 of the 105 points. Madoki Bigas also picked up two quick personals in the second quarter but maintained his aggression, while Nienaber Mendes added multiple back-to-back free throws in the third and fourth to keep momentum. Simon Stancik (15, SVK) chipped in late, and Leonard Lobidel Fernandez contributed early in the second half.
Key swings:
- 10-0 BSM run in Q3 from 65-69 to 65-79.
- Highest lead: BSM +22 early in Q4.
- Amicale's captain Lvi Mller (14) opened well but BSM's sustained scoring runs, capped by a late GÖHLHAUSEN three at the end of Q3, sealed control.
(AI generated)