AB Contern B opened Phase 2 with a controlled 70-55 win over Arantia Larochette B in Contern/Central, reversing the Phase 1 result (Arantia had won 59-43). The hosts set the tone early behind captain Lex Chiarandini and a hot-handed Maxime Daems (Season PPG: 5.56). Daems scored Contern's first nine points and finished with 17, matching his season best, as Contern took the first quarter 22-14 and reached halftime up 43-27.
The second quarter swing belonged to Elias Harsch (CONB), who dropped 11 in the period, including a three, repeatedly punishing gaps in transition and half-court. Contern stretched the margin steadily, then used a 10-2 burst to open the fourth (from 56-43 to 66-45) and build the night's largest lead at +23 (68-45). Coach Jeffrey Schumacher's group kept control even when Harsch drifted into foul trouble late he picked up two personal fouls in a row and finished with four but the cushion held.
Arantia rallied after the break (13-16 in Q3), with Tunn Van Meel (Season PPG: 6.33) and Jang Hoffmann (ARAB) finding lanes, and Vasco Vitorino dos Santos (13, PRT) adding slashing baskets to reach 12 points. Ruben Manuel Silva (Season PPG: 7.80) also scored 12. Coach Pit Hoffmann tried to halt the fourth-quarter surge with a timeout at 66-45, but Contern's balance prevailed.
For the winners, Daems led with 17, Leandro Almeida Cardoso (CONB) added 16 and Harsch 15, while Chiarandini (Season PPG: 5.83) fueled the third quarter with nine of his 11. Contern, now on a two-game winning run after three losses, climbs to 2nd in the standings (+3). Arantia slips to 5th (+1) and is on a three-game losing streak after opening with two wins.
(AI generated)