Arantia Larochette edged Saarlouis 93-90 in Larochette after a swing-heavy friendly under FIBA rules.
Saarlouis started steadier, closing the first quarter 20-19 and pushing to their largest first-half lead at 26-33 on a string of free throws by Y. Steger (SRL). They went to halftime up 48-43, with N. Piprek (SRL) hitting from deep and J. Camper (SRL) active in attack.
The game flipped mid-third. After Piprek's back-to-back threes stretched the gap to 48-61, Arantia erupted with a 19-3 run to seize a 67-64 lead and close the period up 71-67. Even a technical on captain Derek Wilson (14, 1.95m, 34) didn't derail the surge, fueled by Walter Williams (ARA), Vic Heuschling (ARA) and the interior presence of Tyrell Daniel Sturdivant (25, 2.04m, USA).
Early in the fourth, Saarlouis trimmed it to 71-69, but Williams strung together seven straight points and Noé Tibold (ARA) added a layup for 83-71, Arantia's biggest margin (+12). Coach Karolis Abramavicius' side looked in control, yet Saarlouis answered late: M. Mayer (SRL) hit a key triple and Steger poured in 7 points in the closing minutes. After Williams' final basket for 93-87, Steger pulled it back to 93-90 from the line, but time ran out; Steger then fouled out, blunting Saarlouis' last possession options. Coach J. Burger's timeouts slowed the tempo, but Arantia held firm.
Top performers
- Arantia: Walter Williams (ARA) led all scorers with 35, while Tyrell Daniel Sturdivant (25, 2.04m, USA) added 25. Derek Wilson (14, 1.95m) was reliable throughout, and Noé Tibold (7) chipped in timely points.
- Saarlouis: Y. Steger (SRL) had 21 before fouling out, J. Camper (SRL) scored 15, and N. Piprek (SRL) hit four threes for 12. F. Illgen (SRL) added 10, with M. Mayer (SRL) and R. Easterling (SRL) at 9 each.
Arantia were the late-game winners, built on the third-quarter comeback and Williams' decisive fourth-quarter burst.
(AI generated)