Basket Esch edged Etzella Ettelbruck 67-61 in WU14 Division 1 (Phase 1), a close contest that swung wildly in momentum. Pierrette Birchen's team blitzed the start 60 and banked a 2210 first quarter, then stretched the gap with a 2517 second period for a commanding 4727 halftime lead. The margin peaked at 25 (5732) midway through the third before Etzella, guided by coach Dragana Zoric, began to chip away.
The fourth quarter belonged to Etzella (208), driven by Jill Maes (ETZ) who poured in 13 points in the period. She scored backtoback baskets to open the quarter and later added another quick duo to bring the visitors back within striking distance. A late 60 Etzella run (free throws and twopointers from Maes, Emma Klein and Chlo Jazbinsek de Oliveira) cut it to 6559, but Basket Esch found the key reply: Diana Costa de Sousa (Season PPG: 13.2) hit a crucial late two for 6759, enough to withstand Maes' final bucket for 6761.
Costa de Sousa powered Esch with 26 points on 13 made twopointers, showing poise in the lane; the 13yearold Portuguese was decisive in Q2 and in crunchtime. Jana Lucius (Season PPG: 8.0) added 13, and Emma Muratovic (Season PPG: 8.4) chipped in 10. Esch had to navigate serious foul trouble: Muratovic and Yara Tavares Dias (8 pts) both fouled out late, yet the hosts held firm.
For Etzella, Maes authored a standout 35 points (14 twopointers, 7 free throws) and kept the comeback alive throughout the second half. Klein (Season PPG: 15.2) added 12, while Inaya Melanie Babinyanga Bonyeme contributed 5. Notably, neither team made a threepointer; scoring came inside and at the line.
In the table both sides sit at 14 (Etzella 5th, Esch 6th). Basket Esch snapped a fourgame losing streak, while Etzella's slide extends to three defeats in a row.
(AI generated)