US Heffingen won a close friendly at Mondercange, 81-76, after a game with two clear momentum swings and a late answer to BC Mess's comeback.
Mess started better and built the first strong gap. Luke Davis (MES) scored early, Gabriel Da Veiga Rodrigues (30, 1.92m) hit two first-quarter threes, and the home side moved in front 15-3 before closing the opening period at 24-16. Heffingen then changed the rhythm under coach José Alberto Pais Costa. After Mess led 26-19, the visitors produced an 11-0 run to turn the score into 30-26, with Najee Emanuel Williams (23, USA) and Helder Laercio Neto (25, AGO) driving the swing. Heffingen won the second quarter 29-17 and took a 45-41 lead into halftime.
The visitors stayed in control in the third period. Williams kept scoring inside and from long range, Robert Brinck added useful points, and Heffingen stretched the margin to 63-56 after 30 minutes. Early in the fourth, Charel Oly (29, 2.00m) made it 66-56, and Heffingen later reached its highest lead at 68-56.
Mess still had a major response. After Keishon Porter (MES), who finished with 19 points, fouled out, Stéphane Frentzel's team still produced a 12-0 burst from 56-68 to 68-68, fueled by Cambiotti, Moreira Cardoso (23, 1.85m, PRT) and Davis. That was the crucial moment of the game, but Heffingen answered calmly: Sam Urwald (20, 1.89m) scored, Neto added two key baskets plus two free throws, and Williams finished another strong night with 33 points. Davis led Mess with 31 points and kept the home side alive until the last possessions.
(AI generated)