Black Star Mersch dismantled Telstar Hesperange 81-28 in Mersch, controlling the game from the opening tip and staying perfect atop W-Nationale 2 (1st, 9-0). Coach Lance Channing Legister's team blitzed to a 17-0 start and closed the first quarter at 32-7, built largely on interior finishes from Catherine Max and Nele Trommer (22, 1.84m) and a pair of early bombs from the perimeter.
Telstar's best spell came early in the second quarter with an 8-0 answer (from 34-7 to 34-15) behind Charline Lutgen and Dania Brugnoni, prompting timeouts from both benches. Black Star regained control before the break as Sarah Krier strung together five made free throws and Lynn Eliane Schreiner (Season PPG: 12.56) hit from deep for a 48-21 halftime cushion. The third period removed any doubt: Jessie Kettel caught fire with 11 points in the quarter, including three triples, and Black Star closed the frame up 74-26.
Kettel finished with 18 points (four threes), Max added 18, and Trommer matched them with 18 (four free throws made), while Krier contributed 11 and Jo Marie-L. Schreiner chipped in 5. Black Star collectively drained eight threes and held Telstar to just two points in the fourth.
For Telstar (8th, 4-6), Ines Moreira (Season PPG: 14.11) led with 9 points but drifted into foul trouble (four). Lutgen added 7 (Season PPG: 11.00), Brugnoni had 6, and Iris Roca Mandri (26, ESP) scored 4. Coach Ivan Yeromin's side was overwhelmed early, briefly rallied in Q2, then struggled again against a compact half-court defense and Black Star's balanced scoring.
Key moments:
- Black Star's 17-0 start set the tone.
- Telstar's 8-0 run in Q2 was immediately answered by a 12-2 Black Star close to halftime.
- Highest lead: +53 at the buzzer.
(AI generated)