Arantia Larochette opened W-U16 Division 2 with a 63-51 road win at BC Mess after turning the game in the middle quarters. Mess started sharper, taking the first quarter 18-13 behind captain Hannah Meysembourg's early drives. Arantia answered with an 8-0 burst to start Q2 (from 18-13 to 18-21) and reached halftime ahead, 31-29.
The game broke open in the third. From 31-33, Arantia strung together a 10-0 run powered by captain Lucie Rock (15) hitting two triples and Clara Walter (15, DEU) adding another from deep, pushing the gap to 31-43. The lead peaked at +13 (33-46), and Arantia managed the cushion the rest of the way. Mess briefly threatened in the fourth when Meysembourg buried a three for 51-59, but Mara Ronkar and Yara Mores closed it out.
Rock was the standout with 26 points (3 threes, 3 free throws) and constant scoring spurts. Sara Ferreira Afonso added 14, Ronkar 8, Walter 5. For Mess, Meysembourg led with 22 (eight 2s, two 3s), supported by Ma'na Barandao-Bakele (11) and Favor Patience KOBRISSA (11). Lara Da Costa Nobrega chipped in 5. Mess' leaders carried heavy loads while navigating foul trouble (four fouls each for Meysembourg and Da Costa Nobrega).
Coach Joao Pedro Osorio Silva's side controlled momentum with those mid-game runs; Coach Joao Carlos Santiago Janeiro's team started well but couldn't stem Arantia's perimeter surge. Arantia begins the season on a win, Mess on a loss.
(AI generated)