Arantia Larochette edged T71 Dudelange C 77-76 in the Phase finale (round-robin) at grimler/terrain2, completing a late comeback after trailing by as many as 15. T71C opened 7-0 and led 23-14 after the first, 37-30 at half. Early in the third, Philippe Volvert strung together three straight baskets to trim it to 42-38, but T71C answered with an 11-0 burst through Daris Adrovic, Lee Weyland and Phanuel Magoum to 53-38. Sergiu Lisnicenco then buried back-to-back threes for 59-44, and T71C took a 61-48 cushion into the final quarter.
The fourth swung behind Arantia's free throws and perimeter shot-making. Captain Jim Spaus (Season PPG: 13.20) poured in 10 in the period, including a 7-point personal run that turned 65-61 into ARA's first lead, 65-66. Volvert (Season PPG: 21.10) added a timely three and later sank four straight at the line, while Charles Wilhelm (Season PPG: 16.22) knocked down a late triple for 70-74. T71C replied via Magoum (Season PPG: 9.44) and Weyland (Season PPG: 8.96), with Magoum tying it 76-76 in the final minute.
The decisive moment came after Lou Wampach's foul: Léo Rock (Season PPG: 6.44) split at the stripe for 76-77, the game-winner. Coach Michael Anthony Jones' side closed it despite heavy foul trouble (Spaus, Rock and Fabio Valerius on four). T71C lost Lisnicenco (Season PPG: 1.65) to five fouls in the fourth following his third-quarter surge; coach Ronny Schanen was assessed a C1 earlier in the period.
Top scorers: ARA Wilhelm 24, Volvert 23, Spaus 13, Rock 10. T71C Magoum 17, Adrovic (14, MNE) 15, Weyland 11, Lisnicenco 10. Arantia rise to 2nd in the standings (+1) and extend their winning run to three, while T71C remain 5th and slip to two straight defeats.
(AI generated)