Black Lions controlled their Bascol Coupe semi-final in Frisange, beating BBC Police 80-63 after a dominant start and steady game management.
The tone was set in the first quarter (24-8). After an early 4-4, Angelo Barnellini (BLD) caught fire from deep, drilling three consecutive threes and four in the opening period, fueling a 20-4 stretch to close the quarter. Denis Wirtz (BLD) took over inside, and by mid-second quarter the hosts had their largest lead at 36-15 (+21). Kevin Moura Santos (PLC) kept Police afloat with mid-range finishes and trips to the line, but Black Lions stayed in control at the break (45-26).
Police produced their best phase in the third (20 points). Moura Santos strung together five straight points early in the quarter and, with support from Yanik Kombo and Jeff Bofferding, trimmed the gap, but timely answers from Wirtz and a Barnellini triple maintained a firm cushion (63-46 after three). In the fourth, Coach Tom Schroeder's team closed it out professionally: Barnellini added another three, Wirtz scored through contact and from the line, and Tom Schumacher (BLD) hit free throws and a late basket to keep the margin near twenty. Coach Gilles Jankowski's side never made the decisive run, despite Luc Loesch's three and Théo Neyroud's inside finish.
Top performers
- Black Lions: Denis Wirtz (BLD) led with 28 points, including 12 made two-pointers and a three; Angelo Barnellini (BLD) added 20 with six threes; Tom Schumacher (BLD) had 19 (two threes, five free throws). The hosts hit 10 triples.
- BBC Police: Kevin Moura Santos (PLC) scored 26 (11 two-pointers, 4 free throws), Jeff Bofferding (PLC) 14, Yanik Kombo (PLC) 9. Police managed only two made threes.
Black Lions advance to the Bascol Coupe final.
(AI generated)