Basket Esch B left Larochette with a 68-83 win, built on an explosive first quarter and managed well by coach Stéphane Feller's group. After a balanced start at 5-5, Esch erupted with an 18-0 run to close the opening period at 9-29. Jake Feller Birchen (14) powered that surge with 14 first-quarter points, aided by Amir Hamza and Mathis Bath Rama (15). The visitors' highest lead reached 20 at 9-29.
Coach João Pedro Osorio Silva's Arantia answered impressively in the second quarter, winning it 26-13 to cut the gap to 35-42 at halftime. Philippe Volvert (Season PPG: 19.4) and Noé Bissen (Season PPG: 11.33) fueled an 8-0 push to 25-32 and a closing 5-0 run. Finn Visser added timely mid-range makes as the hosts briefly seized momentum.
The third quarter turned again Esch's way. Jim Spaus opened with a three for 38-44 but soon after picked up a technical; Esch used the free points and control to craft a late 10-0 run from 51-57 to 51-67. Bastien Roger (15, FRA), captain Edwin Pereira Furtado and Bath Rama kept the scoreboard moving, restoring a double-digit cushion. In the fourth, Arantia pressed through Volvert's early buckets and free throws, yet Esch always found answers Hamza and Colin Ral Schneider scored inside, and Feller Birchen added late finishes to close it out.
Top performers:
- Basket Esch B: Feller Birchen 19 (14 in Q1), Hamza 16 with two threes, Pereira Furtado 13 (captain), Roger 13, Bath Rama 10. A balanced five in double figures made the difference.
- Arantia: Volvert 22, Bissen 13, Visser 13, Spaus 11 (captain, one technical in Q3).
In the standings, Esch B moves to 1st (+1) at 2-0, while Arantia sits 2nd (+1) at 1-1.
(AI generated)