Telstar Hesperange opened the championship round with a 66-81 road win at Bascharage. The Hedgehogs started well, taking the first quarter 16-12 behind inside scoring from Auric Kirsch and Karlo Saric. The game flipped in the second quarter, when Telstar strung together a decisive 13-0 run from 19-18 down to 19-31, powered by Martin Giordana PI and Tao Raphaël Ozier-Lafontaine (13, FRA) attacking the paint and the line. Telstar won the quarter 23-8 and led 35-24 at halftime.
Bascharage reacted after the break as Kirsch authored an 8-0 personal burst to trim the deficit to 32-35. Telstar steadied, however, with Liam Murschel and John Nabika Sow Wecker scoring at key moments, and Jonas Degutis (13, LTU) hitting three straight baskets to restore a double-digit cushion. The visitors' advantage peaked at +19 after Ozier-Lafontaine's lone three-pointer of the night in the fourth.
Under coach Romas Degutis, Telstar showcased balance: Ozier-Lafontaine 15, Giordana PI 13, Andrei Ionescu 13, Murschel 10 and Wecker 10, with contributions from Martin Chini (8) and Degutis (8). Coach Nicolas Schaefers' Hedgehogs leaned on Kirsch (25, Season PPG: 17.63), Saric (19, Season PPG: 11.50) and Andrija Cubrilo (14, Season PPG: 9.90). Three-point output was low overall; Telstar's only make came from Ozier-Lafontaine.
Telstar, who had dropped four straight before this game, not only reversed their form but also took first place in the Phase finale table (1-0). Bascharage are 0-1 in second. Telstar also lead the head-to-head this season 2-0 (84-38 in Phase 1, 81-66 here).
(AI generated)