AB Contern, now 3rd after a +2 jump in the standings, edged leaders Musel Pikes 85-83 in a game that changed direction several times. Musel stayed 1st, but this was their second straight defeat.
The opening quarter was balanced. Marvin Contreras (Season PPG: 14.38) gave Musel early scoring punch, while Alex Wies (Season PPG: 12.20), Niels Daniel Keane (16, IRL, Season PPG: 9.40) and Max Muller (Season PPG: 13.13) kept Contern in front 22-20.
The first major swing came in the second quarter. Musel won it 28-8 and built their biggest lead at 18 points. Jaden El Basri (Season PPG: 18.37) and Raphaël Siebenaler (16, Season PPG: 17.93) drove that stretch, and after Contern had cut the score to 30-37, Musel answered with an 11-0 run to reach 48-30 at halftime.
Contern reacted in the third. Muller and Keane helped reduce the gap, but Musel still entered the last period ahead 69-54, with Contreras already carrying a major offensive load.
Coach Michael O. Ayodele's team then produced the decisive comeback. Contern opened the fourth on an 11-2 run to get back to 65-73 and kept pushing through Max Welter (14, Season PPG: 6.94), who delivered 22 points. He scored 14 in the fourth quarter alone, including the basket for 75-75, a three-pointer for 80-78, and two late free throws for 83-81. Lenny Erpelding added the final two Contern points from the line for 85-81 before Contreras reduced it to 85-83.
For Musel, Contreras finished with 28 points, Siebenaler had 20 and El Basri 19. For Contern, Welter's outburst was backed by Muller's 18, Keane's 15 and Wies' 13. Keane and captain Mathis Neuens both fouled out, but Contern still completed the turnaround.
(AI generated)