Men A · Match report
Sparta fall just short against Etzella Ettelbruck (78-79)
Etzella Ettelbruck only won it in the final minutes, 79-78 - AJ John (22 points) was Sparta's top scorer on the night.
Full update: Etzella Ettelbruck only edged this one in the very last minutes, winning 79-78.
Sparta got off to a strong start and closed out the first quarter 19-15. Etzella hit back in the second to go into the half up 42-40. Coming out of the break, Sparta pushed again, building a lead of up to ten points (60-50) before Etzella clawed the quarter back to 60-56.
The fourth quarter turned into a real thriller. Sparta led 76-71 for a good stretch, but Etzella came back point by point, tying it at 78-77 on two Philippe Gutenkauf free throws. The decisive basket then fell to Billy Ray Mc Daniel Jr., who had the last word in the closing minutes - 78-79 - and Sparta never got a clean look to answer.
Top scorers for Sparta: AJ John (22 points, 11 of them in the fourth quarter alone), Max Logelin (17) and Jaarvis Williams (17). For Etzella it was mainly Deantonie Gordon and Travis Henson, with Tim Schomer's two big fourth-quarter threes keeping the visitors within range.
A tight game that says a lot about where both sides stand heading into the new season. Thanks to everyone who made the trip out to the Centre Sportif Atert today.
