Okapi Aalst made their way to Mechelen on Friday evening and came away with a 94-79 victory in the BNXT League. The visitors had already looked comfortable in the standings before this one, sitting third with 25 wins from 34 games, and they made sure the result reflected that. Kangaroos Mechelen, meanwhile, remain eighth after fifteen defeats, and this one added to that tally.
The visitors moved ahead early and never really looked back. There is no value left at that number when you are chasing a game like this, and Mechelen found themselves playing catch-up for most of the evening. Aalst kept their composure at the other end and did not let the home side get any momentum going.
We had backed the visitors earlier at 52 per cent confidence, and the result went our way. It was not a surprise, really — Aalst have been the better side when these two have met recently, winning both encounters in May. The confidence was there from the first quarter.
Mechelen have not been in great form lately, losing their last game 100-109 to Limburg before this one. Aalst, on the other hand, had pushed Oostende in their most recent outing, winning 95-87. That difference in rhythm showed through on the scoreboard.
What this means for the standings is straightforward. Aalst stay third and extend their gap over the teams below them, while Mechelen have nothing to lose at this stage of the campaign. The visitors are on a good run and will look to keep it going when they return to action.
