AB Contern controlled Musel Pikes 64-39 in the Tour qualificatif at Contern/Central, built on a blistering start and steady control thereafter. Contern opened on a 15-2 burst Stefanie Grace Kulesza scored the first four points and Caileigh Ann Walsh added back-to-back baskets forcing an early timeout from coach Marc Hahnemann. After Musel trimmed it to 28-14 in Q2, Contern answered with a 10-0 run to 38-14 and led 40-18 at halftime. Musel's brief lift in Q4 (Nanda Kleuls from deep) was immediately answered by Ana Petrova from long range, and the hosts reached their biggest lead at 62-29 before closing it out.
Contern's defense and ball movement set the tone: 25 assists to Musel's 5, plus 15 steals that helped generate 23 opponent turnovers. They also dominated the glass 46-32. Shooting told the rest: CON 2P 44%, 3P 31.6%, FT 38%; MUS hit a good 80% at the line but struggled from the field (2P 31%, 3P 12%).
Kulesza (Season PPG: 22.0, RPG: 10.4, AssPG: 3.0) delivered an MVP-worthy double-double with 17 points (6/7 2P), 13 rebounds and 5 steals. Esmeralda Skrijelj (Season PPG: 9.17, RPG: 9.4, AssPG: 8.2) orchestrated with 10 assists and 8 rebounds, while Petrova added 16 points on 4/5 from three (excellent). Walsh (Season PPG: 20.5, RPG: 6.0, AssPG: 1.4) contributed 8 points and 10 boards. For Musel, Mackenzie Caroline Farmer (25, 1.88m, CAN) had 10 points on 6/6 FT, Alexandra Weber (Season PPG: 9.5, RPG: 5.43, AssPG: 2.57) scored 9, including four straight free throws late, and Julie Nilles (Season PPG: 11.33, RPG: 4.71, AssPG: 1.57) added 7.
Coach Fabienne Fuger's side rises to 3rd (3-3, ranking gain +2). Musel remains 7th at 0-6 and is on a six-game losing streak. Notably, Contern fielded two professional players while Musel had one, a factor in roster balance.
(AI generated)