BBC East Side Pirates controlled BC Mess 53-37 in Mondercange, completing a 2-0 sweep in this matchup after October's 55-46 win. Mess edged the first quarter 13-12 with inside touches from Caroline Pantaleoni and Mara Thein, but the game tilted in a grinding second period (3-9) as the Pirates' defense held the hosts to 16 at halftime (16-21).
Coach Stéphane Roger Saïd's team broke it open right after the break. Nina Schmit (13; Season PPG: 8.89) drilled two threes and added a layup, Samantha Lizardo (7; Season PPG: 5.67) hit from deep, and Jennifer Ferring (10; Season PPG: 10.59) ran the floor. A 14-1 surge turned 18-26 into 19-40, with the highest lead peaking at +20 (21-41) late in the third. Mess briefly rallied in the fourth behind captain Lynn Thilges, who topped all scorers with 16 (Season PPG: 14.29), trimming it to 35-47 after an unsportsmanlike foul on Julia Reuland. Pirates, however, closed it out through Ferring in transition and late free throws.
For Mess, Thilges carried the load while Pantaleoni (6; Season PPG: 12.07) was in constant foul trouble two early whistles in Q1, back-to-back fouls in Q3 and eventually fouled out in the fourth. Support came in short bursts from Aileen Lucius (4; Season PPG: 2.54), Jenny Hellers (4; Season PPG: 5.25) and Thein (2; Season PPG: 3.85). Charlotte Delphine Thomas (33, BEL) added 3.
Pirates spread their scoring: alongside Schmit and Ferring, Lynn Frank (7; Season PPG: 11.94) was steady, while Lea Christmann (Season PPG: 10.50) and Denise Kirsche chipped in, Kirsche sinking two late free throws. Reuland fouled out after two quick personals in Q3 and an unsportsmanlike in Q4; Carole LAPLUME (40, 1.83m) provided timely first-half points.
The result lifts the Pirates to 2nd in the classification and extends their winning streak to seven. Mess remain 12th. Coach João Carlos Santiago Janeiro's side never recovered from the Q2-Q3 drought, despite Thilges' late push.
(AI generated)