US Heffingen edged Musel Pikes, 74-67, after a game of swings and a decisive second-quarter surge. Musel started sharper (19-14), but Coach Alexis Kreps' side flipped it with a 27-10 second period, highlighted by a 15-1 run from 26-26 to 27-41. Thomas Killian Quarry (25, USA) was the game's standout, pouring in 33 points with nine three-pointers, including back-to-back hits in the first and more daggers in the third. Austin Joseph Parker III added 14, notably four consecutive free throws following an unsportsmanlike foul on Tom Welter in the third.
Musel responded out of halftime (23-15 in Q3) to trail only 52-56, then got within 65-67 on baskets from Tristin Matthew Walley (29, USA) and Maurice Gordon. USH closed with Lee Bourgeois' two and a timely triple by Jordan Carreira Kreps. For the hosts, Walley and Gordon (15) carried stretches, while Esosa Kelvin Okundaye (32, 1.86m, DEU) added 17 and three threes. Among the local core, captain Sam Streef had 7 before fouling out in the fourth; Konan Boglin Oth added 6.
Heffingen's support came from Gerry Schuder (7) and Bourgeois (6), with Frank Jacoby (4) steady. Despite losing starter Luke Haasl (24, USA) to fouls in the third, the visitors maintained control. Highest lead reached +14 for USH; Musel's final push was resisted by Quarry's late scoring and Parker's composure at the line.
(AI generated)