Résidence Walferdange, now 4th (+1), were the winners of a close finish against 2nd-ranked Basket Esch, 76-73, and stopped a five-game losing run.
Coach Steve Alexandre's side controlled the first three quarters. RES opened with a strong 29-12 first period, built a 45-34 halftime lead, and reached a highest margin of 27 points in the second quarter. Captain Stefans Grandovskis, the 13-year-old Latvian (Season PPG: 10.53), set the tone early and finished with a game-high 27. Robert Nicula (Season PPG: 9.25) added 13, Gael Dos Santos Antonio (Season PPG: 15.93) had 15, and Joaquym Questier contributed 10.
Basket Esch stayed in touch through Arthur Léo Pierre Colle, the 13-year-old French captain (Season PPG: 13.70), Lyan Gomes Da Cruz (Season PPG: 9.45), and Lorenzo Vetro (Season PPG: 10.76). LAL were still down 68-50 after three quarters, but the last period changed the game completely.
Coach Raouf Riahi's team won the fourth quarter 23-8. Colle kept the pressure on, Berin Hajdarpasic hit an important three early in the quarter, and Esch closed the game on a 9-0 run, cutting the score from 76-64 to 76-73. Walferdange did not score a field goal in the last part of the game, but their earlier cushion held.
For LAL, Colle finished with 17 points, Gomes Da Cruz and Vetro scored 13 each, Hajdarpasic had 10, and Rodrigo Pacheco Reis added 8. Foul trouble became important late: Vetro fouled out for Esch, while Dos Santos Antonio and Questier also fouled out for Walferdange.
(AI generated)