Recap

In a thrilling contest at the Colisée de Laval, the Balkan Brothers edged out the Hoopers with a narrow 50-45 victory, showcasing their resilience and strategic prowess in D1 Season 4.

The game belonged to Johnny Amselem, whose explosive 32-point performance propelled the Balkan Brothers to victory. His shooting, including 6 three-pointers, highlighted his dominant presence on the court. Driss Lahbabi made his mark not just on the offensive end with 16 points but also contributed significantly on the boards, grabbing 14 rebounds, which proved crucial in the gritty battle for possession.

Despite a valiant effort from the Hoopers, led by Shawn Tahriq’s 20 points and 8 rebounds, they struggled with their long-range shooting, finishing just 20% from beyond the arc. The Hoopers did show grit, particularly in the first half, where a strong defense and quick ball movement allowed them to stay within striking distance. However, the Balkan Brothers maintained a slight edge on the boards (26-24) and capitalized on their opportunities, especially in the second half, ultimately pulling away for the win.

The difference ultimately lay in the Balkan Brothers’ rebounding and shooting accuracy, particularly from three-point range. While both teams battled fiercely, it was the ability to convert opportunities that secured the victory for the Balkan Brothers.

Highlights:

• Johnny Amselem erupted for 32 points, leading all scorers in a standout performance.
• Driss Lahbabi dominated the paint with a double-double: 16 points and 14 rebounds.
• The Balkan Brothers shot 40.8% from the field, significantly better than the Hoopers’ 38.5%.
• Despite their efforts, the Hoopers struggled from deep, hitting only 5 out of 25 three-pointers (20%).
• Turnover battle favored the Hoopers, who had only 2, compared to the Brothers’ 5.
• A critical rebounding margin of 2 for the Balkan Brothers made a major difference in their ability to control the game.