AB Contern beat Amicale Steesel 91-80 in Contern, completing a 2-0 sweep in the qualification round and moving up to 2nd in the standings (4-3, +3). Amicale slips to 3rd (4-3, -1). Contern is now on a two-game winning run.
The game evolved in phases. After a balanced first quarter (25-24), Amicale took control in Q2 behind Mandy Geniets and Desiree Ramos to lead 51-48 at halftime. Contern flipped the script in the third: Esmeralda Skrijelj hit multiple threes and Caileigh Ann Walsh added a triple in a 25-17 quarter. Contern closed Q3 on a 5-0 spurt (73-68) and then broke the game in Q4 with a 6-0 run capped by back-to-back long-range hits from Skrijelj and Stefanie Grace Kulesza for the night's biggest margin at 85-72. Fabienne Fuger's team managed possessions cleanly down the stretch to close it out. Paul Missavage's side stayed in touch with perfect free-throw shooting but couldn't match Contern on the glass.
Contern's pros delivered: Walsh (1.91m, 23, USA) powered 31 points (11/21 2P, 2/4 3P, 3/4 FT), 9 rebounds; Kulesza (Season PPG: 23.29, RPG: 11.17) matched with 31 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, shooting 64% on 2s and 60% from three. Among the locals, Skrijelj authored a rare triple-double: 18 points, 12 rebounds, 14 assists with 6 threes, the catalyst of the third-quarter swing. Contern's ball movement (26 assists) and dominance on the boards (19 OR, 36 DR) were decisive.
For Amicale, Ramos (Season PPG: 20.14) had 24 points, a perfect 7/7 at the line; Geniets (Season PPG: 15.60) added 20; Marie Stoffel contributed 16. Julie Mangen scored 11. Team shooting tells the story: Amicale's 100% FT (16/16, excellent) and 39% from three couldn't offset 32% on 2-point attempts. Contern posted good splits across the board (2P 52%, 3P 39%).
Note: in this Enovos League matchup, Contern fielded two professionals while Amicale had one, a factor that tilted the interior battle and depth.
(AI generated)