Brussels and Hohenfels players get set to battle for a rebound Dec. 12, 2025 in a matchup that resulted in a 19-13 win for the Brigands. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

HOHENFELS, Germany – Jacob Berkau glanced up at the scoreboard with 4.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter of Friday night’s matchup against the Brussels Brigands.

With the game tied, the referee handed the ball to Hohenfels teammate Kyrin Smith. The Tigers had one last chance.

“I knew the ball was going to come to me,” Berkau said.

As the final seconds drained away, Berkau made his move. He faked right, created just enough space, and with half a second remaining launched a high, arcing shot.

The buzzer sounded as the ball dropped cleanly through the net for a 50-48 Hohenfels victory.

The gym erupted and fans poured onto the court.

Hohenfels’ Jacob Berkau dribbles the ball while contested by Brussels’ Liam Richard in a game on Dec. 12, 2025 hosted at Hohenfels. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

Brussels’ Kelton Neal attempts a layup and is contested by the Hohenfels Tigers’ defense during a game on Dec. 12, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

Brussels Brigands' Liam Richard takes a free throw in a game visiting the Hohenfels Tigers on Dec. 12, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

The Hohenfels Tigers hosted the Brussels Brigands on Dec. 12, 2025 in a tense game that resulted in a 50-48 win by the Tigers. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

Hohenfels Tigers senior Jacob Berkau shoots a three-point shot in a home game against the Brussels’ Brigands on Dec. 12, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

Hohenfels, one of the top Division III teams in Europe the last few seasons, had started off strongly, determined to show that losing much of last year’s star-studded squad wouldn’t faze them.

Berkau set the tone early, drilling a deep three-pointer to put the Tigers on the board. The shot answered the Brigands’ opening two-pointer off the tip – their first and only lead of the night – foreshadowing the dramatic finish to come.

The Tigers took a 20-7 lead in the first quarter, but Brussels responded by tightening its defense and cut the deficit to 29-22 at halftime.

The Brigands countered the Tigers’ perimeter-heavy approach by attacking the paint, relying on layups and jump shots close to the basket.

The Brigands’ Liam Richard and Altin Ebipi teamed up to close the gap. Richard’s basket tied the game with just over two minutes left.

But neither team could break the deadlock and Brussels was called for a turnover as the clock ticked down, leading to Berkau’s game-winning shot.

“We know we’re not what we used to be, but as for confidence, I’m always confident in my team,” Berkau said. “I know we could go out there and perform and compete with any team on any given day.”

Tigers coach Michael Wesson referenced last week’s season-opening losses to the AFNORTH Lions, in saying that Hohenfels will likely have challenging games all season.

“We know we’re not at the top of the mountain like we were last year,” Wesson said. “That’s going to come with a lot more work this year if we’re able to manage it, but we’re excited for the opportunity.”

Brussels’ Jayda Diaz-Figueroa takes a free throw during a game against the Hohenfels Tigers on Dec. 12, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

The Brussels Brigands’ Maddison Powell is guarded by the Hohenfels Tigers’ Angelaurie Owens during a game at Hohenfels on Dec. 12, 2025.’ (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

The Brussels Brigands' Chrysoula Karakonstani takes a layup shot in a game against the home-team Hohenfels Tigers on Dec. 12, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

Hohenfels Tigers player Angelaurie Owens takes a free throw shot during a matchup against the Brussels Brigands on Dec. 12, 2025. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

Brussels 19, Hohenfels 13: In a game that saw far more turnovers than points, the Brigands made more shots and came away with the victory.

Brigh Richard’s three-point shot early on gave Bussels a 4-2 advantage – a lead the Brigands would hold onto for the rest of the game.

Richard emerged as the game’s top scorer, pouring in 11 points.

Jillian Obhiambo kept Hohenfels in the fight. She pulled down 10 rebounds and added four points – the second-highest total on the team behind Isabella Garcia’s six.

“I think (Hohenfels) played very good defense,” the Brigands’ Chrysoula Karakonstani said after the game. “They were always on us, made sure to cut off our passes (and) cut off the open lanes, but I think we were really good at communicating and finding the open pass.”

“I think this team has a lot of talent,” Brigands’ coach Andrew Patterson said. “We’ve made a lot of progress and we’re excited to pull some things together from last year and build on it.”