US Heffingen edged Basket Esch B 61-60 in a very tight Phase 1 game and took the win in the final minute. Heffingen climbed two places to 3rd after ending a two-game losing streak, while Esch B's two-game winning run stopped, even if the visitors still moved up to 2nd in the table.
The game started with a strong Heffingen push. The hosts opened on a 9-0 run, all scored by captain Mex Steinmetz (HEF), and they controlled the first quarter 19-11. Esch B reacted well in the second period. Bryan Felipe Semedo Tavares (LALB) kept finishing inside, and the visitors closed the half with an 11-0 run, turning a 27-19 deficit into a 30-27 lead.
The third quarter was balanced at 13-13. Heffingen briefly moved back level, but Esch B answered each small run and stayed in front, 43-40, going into the last period.
The decisive stretch came late. Esch B built its biggest lead at 56-50 through Lionel Matheis Gamba (Season PPG: 9.20) and Léon Jaques Pierre During (Season PPG: 7.60). Heffingen answered again through the 12-year-old Steinmetz and Pierre Schlammes (HEF). Schlammes gave the hosts a 59-58 lead, Semedo Tavares restored a 60-59 Esch B advantage, and Steinmetz then scored the winning basket for 61-60.
Steinmetz was clearly the game's main force with 46 points, including 5 three-pointers and 7 made free throws, even while playing with four fouls in the second half. For Esch B, Semedo Tavares produced 30 points, all from two-point field goals. Gamba added 10 points, and Marcelo Amilcar Rocha Fernandes (LALB) contributed 7.
(AI generated)