LWD Basketball Edges Rival Leeuwarden in High-Stakes Dutch Basketball League Showdown

Leeuwarden, Netherlands – May 19, 2026 – In a pulsating derby clash at the Kalverdijkje sports complex, LWD Basketball powered past city rivals Leeuwarden with a 94-85 victory, strengthening their position in the Dutch Basketball League (DBL) standings. The home side used a dominant second half to erase an early deficit and control the tempo against a determined opponent.

First Half: Leeuwarden Strikes First

Leeuwarden came out firing, opening up an 11-point lead midway through the second quarter behind sharp shooting from beyond the arc. Their zone defense forced LWD into rushed possessions, and the visitors looked poised to take control. However, LWD's veteran guard stabilized the offense, cutting the deficit to 48-44 at halftime.

Second Half: LWD Turns Up the Pressure

The turning point came early in the third quarter. LWD switched to a full-court press, forcing six turnovers in the first five minutes. A 14-2 run flipped the scoreboard, and the home crowd erupted. By the end of the quarter, LWD had built a 72-63 lead, and they never looked back. Leeuwarden clawed within five points late in the fourth, but clutch free throws and a crucial steal sealed the deal.

Key Performers

• LWD Basketball: Forward Mark van der Meer posted 28 points and 12 rebounds, while point guard Joris de Vries added 19 points and 8 assists.
• Leeuwarden: Shooting guard Stefan van Dijk scored 24 points, but struggled with foul trouble in the second half.

Table Implications

The victory lifts LWD into third place in the DBL standings with a 22-12 record, just two games behind league leaders Landstede Hammers. Leeuwarden drops to 18-16, tied for sixth, and now faces an uphill battle to secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. With only three regular-season games remaining, every result carries enormous weight.

Next up for LWD is a road trip to Groningen, while Leeuwarden returns home to host the Zwolle Suns.