AB Contern edged Donza LDP 77-74 in a tight friendly at Contern/Central, decided in the final minute after multiple momentum swings.
Contern started sharper, closing the first quarter on a 9-0 burst driven by Stefanie Kulesza (CON), who piled up points in quick succession for a 21-14 lead. The hosts stretched their advantage to a game-high +14 at 35-21 in the second, before Donza responded: Leni Declercq (DON) and Ella Declercq (DON) combined threes and free throws to trim it to 43-38 at halftime.
Early in the third, Donza came within two (43-41), but Contern answered with an 8-0 run Esmeralda Skrijelj (30, 1.80m) and Lou Mathieu (30, 1.68m) hit back-to-back threes to make it 57-46. Donza struck back immediately with a 12-2 counter, fueled by Ilse Deforche (DON) from deep and Ella Declercq inside, closing the quarter at 61-58.
The last period was a tussle. After Ana Petrova (43, 1.71m, BGR) hit a three for 66-60, Donza produced a 9-0 surge (Ella and Kaat Pauwels, then Leni) to take the lead 66-69. Coach Fabienne Fuger's timeout settled Contern. Petrova's free throws steadied the hosts, and Skrijelj delivered the game-winning sequence: a go-ahead three for 72-70 followed by two free throws (74-70). Kulesza added a key basket (76-70). Donza still had a last push Ella scored four in a row for 76-74 but Caileigh Walsh (CON) split free throws for 77-74 and the home side held on. Donza's Floor Toonders (DON) was productive (12 pts) but navigated late foul trouble (4 fouls).
Top performers Contern: Skrijelj 20, Kulesza 19, Walsh 15, Petrova 14, Mathieu 7. Donza: Ella Declercq 16, Leni Declercq 15, Toonders 12, Eva Nguwo Okongo Olombe 8 (including a fourth-quarter three), Deforche 6. Coaches Fuger (CON) and Benoit Mertens (DON) traded timely time-outs as the game swung, but Contern found the last answers.
(AI generated)