At atert/central, T71 Dudelange stayed perfect with a commanding 95-72 win at Sparta Bertrange, stretching their run to seven wins and consolidating first place (7-0). Sparta remain second at 4-3.
Game flow favored T71 early. After 2-2, the visitors broke away behind early perimeter makes from Lauren van Kleunen (27, 1.88m, USA) and steady inside touches for Shalonda Winton. The first quarter closed 27-18 for T71, and despite Sparta trimming briefly in Q2 through Naomi Davenport (Season PPG: 22.29, RPG: 11.56, AssPG: 1.89) and Nicole Torresani, Mersch's timeout and a quick response from Winton and Beatriz Gomes Jordao rebuilt a 47-33 halftime cushion.
The third quarter decided it. Catherine Mreches (25, 1.65m) hit back-to-back threes to start her barrage, added another triple and consecutive twos later in the period, as T71 took the quarter 29-19 and led 76-52. The highest gap reached +28 (95-67) in the fourth. An unsportsmanlike foul on Lara Jemming occurred early in Q4, but T71's control was never threatened. Sparta closed with a short burst, Luisa Feyder scoring the last five points.
T71's shooting was the separator: an excellent 68% on twos and a good 40% from three, overcoming a poor 44% at the line. Sparta shot an excellent 92% FT, with good 51% on twos and 36% from three, but couldn't match the volume or efficiency. T71 also won the glass (33-26) and the turnover battle (9 vs 14). Both teams had 15 assists.
Mreches led all scorers with 29 (5/8 3PT). Winton (Season PPG: 20.57, RPG: 8.50, AssPG: 3.63) added 21, van Kleunen 14 (3/4 2PT, 2/3 3PT), and Svenia Nurenberg 14. For Sparta, Jordan Alexis King (Season PPG: 22.33, RPG: 9.13, AssPG: 4.13) posted 24 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, while Davenport had 16 and Torresani 10 on efficient shooting. Coaches: Mathieu Pierre Fivet's side managed the key runs; Mike Feyder's team was outpaced in the decisive third quarter.
(AI generated)