Zesummen Aktiv won a close game at Nitia Bettembourg, 60-49, and answered its previous loss by moving up to 1st place in M-U18 Division 5: Phase 1 (+2). NIT, despite the defeat, climbed to 3rd (+1).
The opening was split in two parts. NIT went ahead 5-0 through Chen (NIT) and captain Raas (NIT), but ZAK then imposed a strong 16-0 run to take control at 16-5. Shi (ZAK) scored 6 straight in that sequence, while Braun (ZAK) gave steady scoring inside. Bettembourg still closed the first quarter better, with Ikherrazen (NIT) scoring the last 5 points for 10-16.
Coach Bradley Melton's team came back well in the second period. After trailing 13-25, NIT produced a 12-2 response and cut the gap to 25-27 before halftime. Chen (NIT) and Ikherrazen (NIT) were key in that stretch.
The third quarter was the best phase for NIT. The home side tied the game at 27-27, moved in front 32-29, and later reached 41-36. Raas (NIT), Chen (NIT) and Ikherrazen (NIT) carried that push, and the game was fully open at that stage.
The decisive moment came around the break between the third and fourth quarters. From 41-36 down, ZAK scored 14 unanswered points to turn the game around at 50-41. They closed the third with 6 in a row, then opened the fourth with 8 more, with Braun (ZAK) scoring 6 straight early in the last period. NIT got no closer than five after that.
Braun (ZAK) led all scorers with 24, all on two-point baskets. Shi (ZAK) added 16, also entirely from two-pointers, and Guth (ZAK) finished with 10. For NIT, Chen scored 17, Ikherrazen 16 and Raas 12. Jeff Braun (ZAK) also committed three fouls in a row in the second quarter, while Guth (ZAK) reached three fouls by the fourth, but ZAK managed the closing minutes better.
(AI generated)