Heroes Den Bosch held on for a 95–86 win over Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen in a game that lived up to its back-and-forth first half before tilting decisively in the third quarter. The hosts sit 3–2 in the BNXT League regular season; Mechelen drop to 2–3. The opening two quarters stayed competitive — Heroes Den Bosch won Q1 by a point and extended it in Q2, leading 48–40 at the break after outscoring Mechelen 27–20 in that quarter. The third quarter proved decisive. Heroes Den Bosch ripped off an 8–0 run mid-quarter to stretch a 68–56 lead to 76–56, then dominated the frame 31–18 to reach 79–58 heading into the fourth. That 21-point margin peaked early in Q4 at 82–59 with 8:46 left. Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen refused to fold. A spirited rally in the fourth quarter — outscoring Heroes Den Bosch 28–16 in the frame — pulled them within nine by the final buzzer, but the damage was already done too deep to close. JJ Harper led the hosts with 25 points on efficient 9/13 shooting, adding 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks. Ismael Diouf contributed 22 points and 9 rebounds on 9/16 from the field; Menno Dijkstra shot 4/7 from three for 16 points. Max Klesmit was the standout for Mechelen, scoring 29 points on 9/18 shooting and 5/11 from deep, but lacked sufficient support until late. Heroes Den Bosch host AB InBev Leuven Bears on Sunday. Mechelen travel to House of Talents Spurs Kortrijk on Saturday.