Black Star Mersch controlled the rhythm in Tramsschapp/Central and beat Racing Luxembourg 55-45 in W-Nationale 2. Racing opened 4-0 through Estelle Sand and Marie-Lou Haentges, but BSM answered immediately: Jessie Kettel warmed up with a two and a triple, and Lynn Eliane Schreiner added a three as the visitors closed the first quarter up 19-13. The second quarter turned into a defensive stalemate (7-7), with BSM living at the line to keep a 26-20 halftime cushion.
Racing's best spell came after the break. Olivia Hoffmann (1.85m, 28) scored back-to-back baskets to pull it to 27-30, and later 31-36, but BSM's parade to the stripe Nina Goedert and Sarah Krier combined for 10 made free throws steadied the leaders before the final period (41-36 to BSM after three).
The game broke open early in the fourth. Schreiner authored the decisive burst: a three, a free throw, and another three for a personal 7-0 run to 48-38, then a third triple and a late two to finish with 21 points and push the lead as high as +11 (51-40). BSM closed it out from there.
Key numbers: BSM converted 19 free throws (Racing 5), a clear edge in a low-scoring game. Kettel matched her season high with 10 points, Goedert added 8 while drawing fouls (finished on 4 PF), Krier had 8, and Catherine Max 6. For Racing, Hoffmann led with 10, Juliana De Sousa Coelho (29, PRT) and Jil Schmit scored 8 each, Sand added 7, and Charlotte Pascale Loaso (RAC) chipped in 5. Foul trouble hampered the hosts: Jil Mathis picked up an unsportsmanlike in Q1 and finished with 4 fouls; Sand also reached 4.
With this result, BSM (now 1st) extends its perfect start to 8-0, while Racing sits 6-3 in 2nd, seeing a four-game winning run end. Coaches: Lance Channing Legister's side leaned on discipline and late shot-making; Wojciech Daniel Kubis' team fought back in the third but couldn't overcome the fourth-quarter surge.
(AI generated)