Racing Luxembourg edged Black Star Mersch 114-109 at lux gare in the M-U16 Division 2 Phase 2 championship round, sealing a close finish after controlling the middle quarters.
Black Star started faster and led 37-34 after an open first quarter behind the prolific tandem of Mike Göhlhausen (50) and Alvyn Madoki Bigas (43, 15, ESP). Racing flipped the rhythm in the second: Nick Wallers (60; Season PPG: 31.13) produced a devastating burst, scoring Racing's next 16 points in a row and pushing his team to a 65-60 halftime lead. Coach Ilija Kalajdzic's group then stretched the gap in the third (30-20) with steady contributions from Elhadj Ibrahima Diallo (21, 13, PRT; Season PPG: 14.71), reaching a high of +17 early in the fourth (99-82).
Aleksandar Petrovic's Black Star refused to fold. Rolando Nienaber Mendes (11; Season PPG: 13.00) sparked a response, and Göhlhausen added a string of free throws and drives. An unsportsmanlike foul on Mihailo Rilak in the late stages gave BSM extra chances as the visitors trimmed it to 113-109. William Armand Jaud coolly added the final point to make it a two-possession game, and Racing closed it out. Madoki was whistled for consecutive personal fouls in the last minute, blunting the final push.
Top performers
- Racing: Wallers' 60 were decisive, repeatedly answering Black Star runs and hitting key free throws late. Diallo added 21, and Martin Cuesta Jaramillo had 11 before fouling out in the fourth.
- Black Star: Göhlhausen (Season PPG: 32.88) poured in 50, and Madoki (Season PPG: 37.50) matched him punch for punch for three quarters; Nienaber's fourth-quarter burst kept it close.
Racing extends its positive momentum to four straight wins after a run of five losses, while Black Star slips to a third consecutive defeat.
(AI generated)