Fifth-placed Arantia Larochette edged leaders Amicale Steesel 62-61 in Larochette, avenging the 76-57 loss from the first meeting and ending a six-game losing streak.
The game had several swings. Arantia started sharply and led 8-0, but Amicale answered with a 19-3 run to take the first quarter 19-11. In the second period, the visitors still looked in control at 24-17, 27-21 and 31-27. Larochette then changed the rhythm before halftime, closing on an 8-2 burst for a 35-33 lead. Noa Franssens (Season PPG: 25.42) was central in that phase and scored 10 Arantia points in a row across the end of the quarter.
Amicale reacted strongly after the break. From 36-35, the league leaders went on a 18-6 spell and built their biggest lead at 54-38 late in the third quarter. Harons Rafaels Faduls (Season PPG: 9.42) drove that stretch and finished with 25 points, tying his season high. Charel Patz added 14 points, while Levi Lepage Post scored 6.
Larochette still trailed 54-42 entering the fourth, but the home side opened the last quarter with 8 unanswered points to get back to 50-54. Franssens finished with 20 points, captain Finn Brosius (Season PPG: 10.84) added 10, and Rui Carlos Silva (Season PPG: 15.75) scored 8. After Faduls put Amicale ahead 61-60, the decisive moment came on Maxime Kapgen's unsportsmanlike foul. Silva converted the two free throws for 62-61, giving coach Pit Hoffmann's team the final lead.
(AI generated)