T71 Dudelange controlled this finals game in Contern, winning 71-54 after taking the first quarter 22-12. AB Contern briefly changed the rhythm in the second period: Fabienne Fuger's team opened with a 12-2 run, moving from 12-22 to 24-24 behind Stefanie Grace Kulesza and Ana Petrova. Tom Schumacher's side answered immediately and decisively with a 13-0 burst to close the half at 37-24, then added the first 9 points of the third quarter. That 22-0 run across the break created a 46-24 margin, the visitors' highest lead being +24.
That sequence set the tone for the rest of the game. Contern never came back under real pressure range despite 22 points and 16 rebounds from 23-year-old USA forward Stefanie Grace Kulesza (Season PPG: 20.30, RPG: 10.50, AssPG: 2.89). Petrova added 10 points with two 3-pointers, while Claire Lavandier gave efficient support with 11 points on 4/7 from 2-point range, a good 57.1%. Esmeralda Skrijelj finished with 7 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists, plus good 80% free-throw shooting.
T71 had the stronger balance, helped by an Enovos League roster edge with two professionals against one for Contern. MVP Lauren Anne Van Kleunen (Season PPG: 23.00, RPG: 10.00, AssPG: 4.29) posted 20 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. Shalonda Renae Winton (Season PPG: 19.55, RPG: 9.67, AssPG: 5.48) matched that impact with 22 points and 7 rebounds, shooting a good 52.9% from 2-point range. Catherine Mreches added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 6 steals, while Svenia Nurenberg scored 8 and hit an excellent 2/2 from 3-point range.
Team shooting underlined the gap: Contern finished at 40% on 2-pointers and 17% on 3-pointers, while T71 reached a good 83% at the line. T71 has now beaten Contern five times this season and extended its current winning run to nine games.
(AI generated)