AB Contern controlled the first game of the Championship round with a commanding start and steady answers to each Musel Pikes surge, winning 67-55 at Contern/Central. Fabienne Fuger's team opened on a 13-0 run and led by as many as 17 in the first quarter (19-2), closing the period 23-11. Marc Hahnemann's early timeout at 9-0 slowed the bleeding, and Musel edged the second quarter 16-13 behind frequent trips to the line from Nanda Kleuls, trimming it to 36-27 at halftime.
Musel made their push after the break, cutting the gap to 41-35 on an 8-3 spell highlighted by Kleuls and Julie Kayser at the stripe, during which Contern's Lou Alliaume picked up a technical. Contern responded instantly: Zoé Moes strung together back-to-back baskets and, with a timely three from Joyce Alliaume, restored a 50-38 cushion after three. In the fourth, Moes scored early, and Julie Braun Silva knocked down two key threes to stretch it to 65-47, the largest lead (18). Late buckets from Chloé Schmitz (15 years) and Léa Muacho reduced the final margin.
Top performers: for Contern, Zoé Moes (Season PPG: 15.60) poured in 30 points, including 12 in the first quarter and 11 in the third; Joyce Alliaume (Season PPG: 14.33) added 14; Julie Braun Silva (Season PPG: 8.50) had 10; Orélie Moes (Season PPG: 9.80) chipped in 7. For Musel, Kleuls (Season PPG: 15.00, 1.73m) scored 18 with 10 made free throws; Lilli Fischer (17, 1.70m) had 9; Sophie Beffort Neuman (Season PPG: 8.20) 7; Kayser (Season PPG: 3.17) 6.
Contern, now atop the Phase 2 standings, extend their streak to three wins and lead the head-to-head 2-0 this season (including 48-45 in Phase 1). Musel sit second and have dropped three straight.
(AI generated)