Ireland edged FLBB U16 62-55 in Mersch after a game of swings and timely perimeter shooting. The visitors struck first behind Julie O'Conner, who drained three triples in the opening quarter, sparking an 8-0 burst to 2-11. FLBB U16 steadied late in the period (13-16) and briefly took the lead early in the second on back-to-back threes from Chiara Sahaia Rasolofo. Paul O'Brien's side responded to reach halftime up 29-34.
The third quarter proved decisive for the gap: Laura Buckley hit from deep and Katie Rose Harrison added another as Ireland built the largest lead at 32-46. Rumen Galabov's team fought back through Zo' Freitas, who scored 7 points in the period, trimming it to 43-52 entering the fourth.
The hosts then made their big push. Marie Gloden strung together six straight points at the line and from mid-range to pull FLBB U16 within 51-52. After Buckley answered with a three, Emma Wallenborn (1.68m) and Lena Agovic tied it at 55-55. Ireland closed it out with a decisive 7-0 run: Buckley's fourth-quarter triple, an Ayotade Ademokun three (14, IRL) and an O'Conner free throw sealed it.
Shooting told the story from long range: Ireland went 9/28 from three (32%), while FLBB U16 finished 4/21 (19%). Buckley (13 pts) earned MVP honors and was excellent from deep (3/4). O'Conner added 12, and Harrison 8. For FLBB U16, Rasolofo had 11 with good outside accuracy (3/6 3PT), Freitas scored 11, and Gloden contributed 10 with excellent free-throw shooting (4/4). Both defenses were active (IRL 26 steals, U16 21), but turnovers were abundant (IRL 50, U16 45). On the glass, Ireland held a 48-40 edge (OR 20-18).
(AI generated)