AB Contern edged Black Star Mersch 108-106 in a dramatic M-U16 Division 2 Phase 2 opener at Contern/Central, decided by a late basket from Max Müller. Contern controlled the first three quarters (28-21, 24-24, 31-22), stretching the lead to a game-high 20 at 83-63 near the end of the third. Black Star then exploded for 39 points in the fourth and tied it at 106 after back-to-back buckets by Mike Göhlhausen, before Müller made it 108-106 and the hosts held on.
Contern spread the scoring: captain Emil Dostert (Season PPG: 28.6) poured in 42 and repeatedly strung together baskets, including the surge that pushed Contern to +20. He was supported by Alex Wies (18; Season PPG: 13.33), Müller (16; Season PPG: 14.33), Alexandre Lopes Meysembourg (16; Season PPG: 9.0) and Tao Tock (14). Crucially, Contern had to finish without Dostert, who fouled out late, and Lopes also exited on fouls. Coach Ayodele's group still found the decisive score and a final stop.
Black Star rode a prolific trio that combined for 102 of their 106 points. Alvyn Madoki Bigas (15, ESP; Season PPG: 37.0) led with 41, Göhlhausen (Season PPG: 29.33) added 35 including a key fourth-quarter three and the tying sequence, and Rolando Nienaber Mendes (15, PRT; Season PPG: 13.67) had 26 before fouling out in the closing moments. Coach Petrovic's side turned a 20-point deficit into a one-possession finish with an 8-0 run from 106-98 to 106-106, but couldn't complete the comeback.
The result flips the script from Phase 1, when Black Star won 109-70 in Contern. In the Phase 2 table, Contern move up to 2nd (gain +4), Black Star sit 3rd (-2).
(AI generated)