Demy Rebounders (DRS) edged Eur. Investment Bank B (EIBB) 61-57 in Kehlen, a close game decided by fourth-quarter poise. The hosts set the tone early (14-8 after Q1), with Ben Schmitz (DRS) opening from deep and Sebastian Hommel (DRS) steering the start. EIBB replied through Antonio Sanchez (EIBB) at the line and Mindaugas Guobys (EIBB) from distance, tying it at 17-17 in Q2. DRS answered immediately: Hommel's layup sparked an 8-0 burst capped by a personal 6-0 from Pedrag Cavor (DRS) to 30-21, before EIBB closed to 30-27 at halftime.
The third quarter was a stalemate (9-9), with Cavor and Schmitz keeping DRS narrowly in front while Guobys trimmed the gap to 37-35. A tense stretch featured unsportsmanlike fouls on Patricio Novales (EIBB) and Gilles Page (DRS) and a technical on Fotios Kalantzis (EIBB), fragmenting momentum on both sides.
Coach Sebastian Hommel's group struck first after the break: Amin Huberty (DRS) posted three straight points to open Q4, and Cavor added inside scores as DRS built a 55-45 lead, the largest of the night (+10). Page's mid-range makes and another Cavor finish pushed it to 61-51. EIBB made it a nervy finish with a 6-0 run Guobys from three, Sanchez at the stripe, and Christian Antoci (EIBB) in transition but DRS had already banked the winning cushion.
Top performers
- DRS: Pedrag Cavor (20), Ben Schmitz (13), Sebastian Hommel (12), with timely fourth-quarter contributions from Gilles Page (5) and Amin Huberty (5).
- EIBB: Mindaugas Guobys (17) and Antonio Sanchez (16) carried the offense; Patricio Novales added 8 and Joan Mogas Segui (EIBB) 6.
Foul trouble shaped rotations: EIBB lost Kalantzis and later Novales to five fouls, while DRS saw Huberty and Ervin Mucevic exit late. Despite EIBB's closing burst, DRS were the game winners, protecting the lead in the final minute. Coach Nicolae Predescu's side rode Guobys and Sanchez all night but left themselves too much to do after DRS's decisive early-Q4 run.
(AI generated)