Second-ranked Sparta Bertrange beat third-ranked US Heffingen 56-51 in a tight Phase finale game, their third win over Heffingen this season, and Sparta extended its current run to three straight victories.
The game turned several times. Heffingen led 15-13 after one quarter, then built the first real gap in the second period at 28-22 behind Léini Dostert (Season PPG: 12.93). Sparta answered well before the break and cut it to 32-30. The visitors again looked in control in the third quarter: Morton opened with 4 straight points, Heffingen reached 40-32, and that 8-point margin was the highest lead of the game. Coach Laurent Cames' team stayed composed and closed the quarter at 43-45.
The decisive moment came in the last period. Heffingen moved to 50-45, but Sparta produced an 11-0 run to turn the game completely, from 45-50 to 56-50. Anaé Sacaze (Season PPG: 24.24) led that swing and finished with 24 points, again as the main offensive difference-maker. She fouled out late, but only after putting Sparta in control. Stéphanie Stoeva (Season PPG: 8.83) and captain Marie-Fleur Elisabeth Flechtner (Season PPG: 10.17) added 10 points each, while Nina Fiorenza (12, ITA) gave useful support with 5 points.
For Heffingen, Dostert was excellent with 24 points, matching her season high, and kept the attack alive from start to finish. Amelia Joan Morton (Season PPG: 6.76) added 11 points, and Lena Kugener (Season PPG: 7.06) scored 7 before fouling out. Coach José Alberto Pais Costa saw his team control long stretches, but Sparta's late defensive push and game-winning run decided a close contest.
(AI generated)