AB Contern, 3rd in the standings, took a tight 78-76 road win over 4th-placed Amicale Steesel after leading most of the night. Fabienne Fuger's team opened with real force: 29 points in the first quarter, a 17-29 lead after 10 minutes, and then a 42-21 advantage midway through the second period, their biggest margin at +21.
Contern's early edge came from sharp inside scoring. The visitors finished at a good 58.1% on 2-pointers (25/43), while Amicale relied more on long range, with a good 39.3% from 3-point distance (11/28). Free throws were a weakness for both sides, especially Contern at 4/10.
Desiree Ramos (33, 1.70m, USA) kept Amicale alive almost alone before the break, then stayed decisive to the end. She scored 33 points, earned MVP, and shot an excellent 54.5% from three (6/11) with 6 steals. Brooke Madison Flowers (26, USA) added a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, plus 4 blocks. Julie Mangen (28, 1.64m) gave Amicale important momentum with 13 points, including key third- and fourth-quarter baskets, before fouling out late.
After trailing 33-45 at halftime, Alain Schaeffer's side changed the rhythm in the third quarter. Amicale won that period 23-14 and cut the gap to 56-59, with Ramos, Mangen and Flowers driving the comeback.
Contern still had answers. Marah Kelli Dykstra (22, 1.88m, CAN) delivered 27 points and 9 rebounds, shooting an excellent 78.6% on 2-pointers (11/14). Esmeralda Skrijelj (31, 1.78m) posted 16 points, 15 rebounds and 4 steals, while Lou Mathieu (31, 1.68m) scored 15 with 4/10 from three.
The last minutes were very close: Amicale came back to 74-74, but Contern answered through Skrijelj, then a free throw by Kyra Coulon (22, 1.81m) made it 77-74. Ramos cut it to 76-77, and Dykstra's last free throw secured the win. Contern stopped a two-game losing run.
(AI generated)