Sparta Bertrange edged AB Contern 91-85 at atert/central, overturning a 12-point first-quarter hole built by Contern's early three-point barrage. The visitors led 31-23 after 10 minutes, but Mike Feyder's side steadied before the break behind Naomi Rebekah Davenport (31, 1.81m, USA) and Jordan Alexis King (23, 1.81m, USA), trimming it to 49-51 at half.
The third quarter swung Sparta's way to 75-73, then the hosts opened the fourth with an 8-0 run to 83-73. Fabienne Fuger's time-outs helped Contern rally: a Caileigh Ann Walsh (22, 1.91m, USA) triple made it 87-85 in the final minute. Sparta found the game winners as Lena Mersch (8, 1.73m) scored a layup and then sank two free throws in a row to close it out.
Numbers framed the story. Sparta shot a good 58% on twos and 77% at the line, living in the paint (28 made twos to 17) and at the stripe (20 FTs to 9). Contern countered with 14 made threes at a good 37%, fueled by an excellent 8/12 from deep from Ana Petrova (24, 1.71m, BGR). Walsh was efficient (4/4 FT, good 2P and 3P), and Stefanie Grace Kulesza (23, 1.83m, USA) added 12 boards but fouled out late, blunting the final push. Esmeralda Skrijelj (13, 1.78m) signed a points-assists double-double with 11 helpers.
For Sparta's local core, Nicole Torresani (20, 1.78m) delivered 20 points, including 2/3 from deep, while Cathrin Wolff (4, 1.81m) hit timely shots and Mersch sealed the result. King also handed out 8 assists. Davenport, the game MVP, dominated inside with 17 rebounds and 8/9 FT.
Sparta won the turnover battle (12-16) and had more offensive rebounds (10-7). Highest leads: Contern +12 in the first, Sparta +10 early in the fourth. In the table, Sparta climbs to 5th (+1, 1-1; series: loss, win). Contern remains 2nd but slips to 1-2 and a two-game slide (win, loss, loss).
(AI generated)