Etzella Ettelbruck edged Iserlohn Kangaroos 85-82 in a close Season Opening game, after controlling the decisive middle phase and then holding off a late comeback.
Gavin Love's team opened very well. ETZ went ahead 10-0, with Deantoni Gordon (ETZ) scoring 7 points in a row after Travis Henson (ETZ) had opened from long range. Iserlohn settled after that, answered through Rankine (ISO), Ajagbe (ISO) and Lunguana (ISO), and closed the first quarter in front 20-19.
The visitors kept that rhythm in the second period. Iserlohn built a 25-19 lead and later reached 43-36, with Rankine carrying much of the offense. Ettelbruck stayed close and reduced the gap to 40-43 at halftime.
The game turned sharply in the third quarter. After falling behind 43-48, ETZ produced a 17-3 response to go up 60-51. Philippe Gutenkauf (31, 1.83m) and Henson were central in that stretch, and Ettelbruck finished the quarter with 8 unanswered points for its biggest lead, 72-57. That 32-14 quarter changed the game.
Iserlohn still came back in the last period. Port (ISO) and Rankine led the chase, the score was tied at 77-77 and again at 79-79, and Gebauer (ISO) cut it to 83-82 with a late three. Ettelbruck answered through Henson and Philippe Gutenkauf, whose last basket set the final score. Klesper (ISO) also received a disqualifying foul late in the fourth.
ETZ had four main scorers: Henson 23, Philippe Gutenkauf 22, Gordon 17 and Billy Ray Mc Daniel Jr (42, 1.96m, USA) 14. For Iserlohn, Rankine scored a game-high 26, Ajagbe added 13, and Lunguana and Port finished with 12 each.
(AI generated)
Etzella Ettelbruck 
Iserlohn Kangaroos 
