T71 Dudelange dominated BC Mess 102-62 in the Championship round under coach Tom Schumacher, taking control after an even first quarter (25-25) and never looking back. Mess, coached by Joao Carlos Santiago Janeiro, started sharply through Leis Sabotic (1.88m; Season PPG: 24.43) and Pedrito Kemevuako (Season PPG: 17.71), who combined for early baskets to lead 12-8. But the game's axis turned in the second period when T71 strung together a 12-0 run from 30-29 to 30-41, forcing a timeout and establishing a 39-51 halftime cushion.
The third quarter was decisive: T71 outscored Mess 32-11, with Daris Honsic (Season PPG: 11.57) pouring in 15 in the period and at one point scoring eight consecutive points to stretch the gap from 47-75 to 47-83. Remarkably, Kemevuako scored 10 of Mess's 11 third-quarter points to keep his side afloat. T71's final margin peaked at +40.
Charel Brettner (1.93m; Season PPG: 22.43) was a force with 31 points, built on 13 made two-pointers and steady free throws. Honsic added 17, Kevin Fernandes Vaz (Season PPG: 18.14) 15, Jonas Lies (Season PPG: 12.57) 14, and Tom Kloos (Season PPG: 7.57) 9. T71's attack was balanced and relentless: 34 made twos and nine threes.
For Mess, Kemevuako led with 27 (five FTs, five twos, four threes), Sabotic followed with 18, and Yann Krings (Season PPG: 10.43) had 8. Mess hit six threes overall but struggled to stem T71's surges.
In the standings, T71 climbs to first place (+3) at 2-0 and extends its run to three straight wins. Mess falls to 0-2 (6th) with back-to-back defeats.
(AI generated)