AB Contern defeated Basket Esch 62-52 in Esch in W-U19 Division 1 (Phase 2). Contern set the tone with a 12-0 burst late in the first quarter to move from 19-20 to 19-32, capped by Julie Braun Silva's early scoring and the Moes sisters, and led 32-21 after 10 minutes (largest lead +13). Coach Karim Elbaoune's Esch reacted well: Lana Clausi's free throws and inside finishes, plus baskets by Emma Wallenborn (Season PPG: 7.83) and a three from Estelle Birnbaum (Season PPG: 6.71), fueled a 9-1 spell that brought it to 36-37. Contern still edged the half, 39-36.
The third quarter was balanced. Birnbaum briefly put Esch ahead 43-41 before Julie Braun Silva answered with a three; Contern took a 47-45 advantage into the last period. Esch closed to 49-51 through Anaïs Gocel (15, FRA) and captain Laure Valentin (Season PPG: 9.86), but Braun Silva strung together five straight points (a 2+1 and a free throw) to restore a two-possession gap, and Contern closed on an 11-3 run.
Julie Braun Silva (Season PPG: 10.57) led all scorers with 23, mixing two triples with frequent trips to the line. Orélie Moes (Season PPG: 9.83) added 10 and Zoé Moes (Season PPG: 14.50) 9, while captain Joyce Alliaume (Season PPG: 13.43) scored 8 before fouling out. For Esch, Ajla Adrovic (Season PPG: 10.14) had 11, Birnbaum 10 and Wallenborn 9; Petra Oroz (18, HRV) and Gocel each scored 5. Esch's captain Laure Valentin fouled out, as did teammate Lys Valentin, while Contern's captain Alliaume also exited on five.
Both teams hit four threes. Contern's win under coach Fabienne Fuger is their second over Esch this season (76-52 in Phase 1) and extends their streak to four straight. In the standings, Contern move to 2nd (2-0, ranking gain +4), Esch sit 3rd (0-2) on a three-game skid.
(AI generated)