Kangoeroes Mechelen produced one of their most complete offensive displays of the BNXT League season on Sunday, pulling away from Belgacom Liege Basket for a 96-78 victory at the Winketkaai. The hosts combined sharp outside shooting with a dominant rebounding effort, turning a competitive first half into a comfortable win and strengthening their position in the BNXT standings.

Match overview

Mechelen set the tone early with an 8-0 opening run and led 24-16 after the first quarter. The home side kept the pace high in the second period, moving the ball crisply against Liege’s switching defense and stretching the advantage to 51-37 by halftime. Liege briefly threatened after the break, opening the third quarter with a 7-0 burst to cut the deficit to 11, but Mechelen answered immediately with a 12-2 run that restored control.

The final quarter was played at a slower tempo, with Mechelen protecting the ball and converting at the free-throw line. The hosts finished with a healthy shooting night from the field and won the rebound battle convincingly, while Liege was left chasing the game after allowing too many second-chance points.

Key moments

• Mechelen’s 8-0 start forced an early Liege timeout and set the tone for the afternoon.
• A 12-2 response late in the third quarter ended Liege’s best comeback attempt.
• The Mechelen bench added timely scoring in the fourth quarter to keep the margin comfortable.

Tactical story

Mechelen’s pick-and-roll attack was effective throughout, with the ball-handler repeatedly finding open shooters on the weak side. Defensively, the hosts limited Liege’s transition chances by sending two players to the defensive glass and forcing the visitors into contested half-court possessions. Liege tried to speed the game up in the third quarter, but Mechelen’s control of the boards and disciplined shot selection proved decisive.

Standout players

Mechelen’s starting forward led the scoring effort with 22 points and nine rebounds, while the backcourt added 18 points and seven assists. The home bench contributed 28 points, underlining the depth that has become a feature of Mechelen’s BNXT campaign. For Liege, a veteran guard finished with 19 points, including four three-pointers, but the visitors lacked enough secondary scoring to stay in touch down the stretch.

Season impact

The result gives Kangoeroes Mechelen another important home win and improves their head-to-head position in the BNXT League table. For Belgacom Liege Basket, the defeat highlights the need for a stronger defensive response on the road, particularly after halftime. Mechelen will look to carry the momentum into their next fixture, while Liege will target a reset in their upcoming home game.