Basket Esch beat Les Sangliers Wooltz 78-69 in Wiltz after weathering a furious secondhalf push. Esch exploded early behind perimeter shooting to take the first quarter 29-16 and stretched the gap to 20 (40-20) in the second. At the half the visitors led 51-37, built on ball pressure (16 team steals) and outside accuracy.
Wooltz reshaped the game after the break. A 9-0 burst spanning the end of the third and the start of the fourth Cerie Alissa Mosgrove (13, 1.86m, USA) twice inside, an Amra Hasanovic triple and Emma Broermann at the rim tied it at 64-64. Moments later, Lisy Hetting's drive put the hosts ahead 67-66 and Hasanovic made it 69-66. From there, Esch closed with a decisive 12-0 run: Jovana Jaksic strung together a two, a free throw and another two, Katia Jemming added a free throw, Eden Nibbelink finished in traffic, and Jaksic sealed it at the line.
Jaksic (Season PPG: 25.67, RPG: 7.33, AssPG: 1.67) delivered 31 points and 11 rebounds, the game's MVP. She was flanked by Tatsiana Likhtarovich (Season PPG: 18.2, RPG: 4.6, AssPG: 5.2), who hit 5/12 from deep and added four steals, and Nibbelink's efficient 16 points, including an excellent 3/4 from three. Esch's 10/26 from three (38%) was a clear advantage.
For Wooltz, Hetting posted 25 points and 11 rebounds (7/8 FT excellent) before fouling out in the closing minutes, a turning point. Broermann (Season PPG: 9.5, RPG: 14.5) added 13 points and 11 rebounds but also fouled out late, while Hasanovic hit 3/4 from three. Wooltz shot a good 50% on twos and dominated the glass (41 rebounds, 14 offensive) but were undone by 25 turnovers.
Coached by Vincent Gevrey, Esch's late composure and perimeter shot-making decided a close finish. Basket Esch move to third in the standings (+2), while Les Sangliers remain sixth.
(AI generated)