AS Soleuvre edged Musel Pikes 84-78 in Zolwer/Scheierhaff after a clear early separation and a tense finish. Soleuvre set the tone with a 25-17 first quarter behind repeated scores from Felix Kloman (SOL) and interior work by Christian Parker (SOL). The second period proved decisive: a 15-3 run pushed the gap from 31-21 to 46-24 at halftime, Soleuvre's largest lead at +22. Coach Eric Bettini's starters controlled rhythm, while Musel coach Brian Carroll had to stop momentum early.
Musel answered after the break, winning the third quarter 25-12. Tristin Walley (MUS) ignited the charge with a three and a string of free throws, and Maurice Gordon (MUS) added a triple and inside finishes. A 6-0 burst cut the deficit to single digits, and the frame closed at 58-49.
Early in the fourth, Soleuvre briefly reasserted control. Kloman delivered the night's highlight with a four-point play for 71-58, then Kieran Nono (SOL) buried a timely three for 75-60. Musel kept coming: Tom Welter (MUS) hit late from deep, and Enzo Sanna (MUS) and Walley kept the visitors within two possessions. Gilles Weis (SOL) steadied Soleuvre with a fourth-quarter three and two late free throws to secure the result.
Top performers: Kloman (SOL) led with 26 points, Parker (SOL) added 19, and Weis (SOL) 13. Nono (SOL) chipped in 7, including a key fourth-quarter triple. For Musel, Walley matched the game-high with 26, Ange Konen (MUS) had 13, Gordon (MUS) 11, and Welter (MUS) 10. Junior Sanches (SOL) picked up a technical in the third and, like Parker, finished on four fouls; Sam Streef (MUS) also reached four. No player fouled out.
Soleuvre are the winners of a close-friendly that tightened late, holding firm after Musel's second-half surge.
(AI generated)