First-ranked T71 Dudelange stayed unbeaten at 4-0 with a 90-74 home win over Basket Esch, while LAL, despite the defeat, still gained one place and moved up to third.
The game was competitive early. Basket Esch scored first through Didier Samir Bounounou Bounang, and the first quarter stayed close all the way, with T71 only leading 22-20. Alexandre Kremer quickly established himself as LAL's main scorer, but T71 already had balance through Daris Honsic (17, 1.83m, Guard), Tunn Wirion and Finn Dondelinger.
The break came in the second quarter. Mike Smith's team turned 28-24 into 32-24, then kept building the margin with steady scoring at the rim, from the line and from outside. T71 won that period 28-12 and went into halftime up 50-32. Overall, the hosts finished with 24 made 2-pointers, 7 made 3-pointers and 21 made free throws.
Basket Esch responded well after the interval. Corentin Cornu's side took the third quarter 29-20, with Kremer driving the comeback and support from Maël Gevrey and Kevin Nnganyadi from long range. LAL cut the deficit from 18 down to 10 at 58-48 and then to 63-59, putting real pressure on the leader.
T71 answered at the right moment. Honsic went on a strong stretch and helped restore control before the end of the third at 70-61. Early in the fourth, T71 delivered another key blow with a 7-0 run to 77-61, and the lead later reached 21 points.
Honsic finished with 37 points, a new season high. Wirion added 17 and Dondelinger 14. For Basket Esch, Kremer produced 23 points, ahead of Bounounou Bounang with 10, while Verbecque and Gevrey both scored 9. T71 is now on a four-game winning streak.
(AI generated)