AB Contern controlled Basket Esch 76-59 at contern/central in a game that swung decisively in the second quarter. After a balanced first period (17-18), Fabienne Fuger's team broke the game with an 11-0 run early in Q2, fueled by Ana Petrova and Stefanie Grace Kulesza. Kulesza strung together 6 straight points in that stretch and Contern reached halftime up 45-30. Esmeralda Skrijelj steered a composed third quarter with perimeter makes and distribution as the lead grew to 60-41. The advantage peaked at +26 (75-49) in the fourth before Vincent Gevrey's side narrowed the gap late. Eden Elizabeth Nibbelink opened the final period with 5 straight points for Esch but later fouled out.
Contern's 2-point shooting was good (59%, 22/37) and they dominated the glass 44-32, offsetting 16 turnovers. Esch struggled from deep (11%, 2/18) and shot 43% on twos. Free throws: CON 73% (8/11), LAL 65% (13/20).
MVP Kulesza (Season PPG: 22.27, RPG: 11.10, AssPG: 2.20) delivered 29 points on a perfect 10/10 inside, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists; the 22-year-old forward (1.83m, USA) set the tone. Caileigh Ann Walsh (Season PPG: 22.45, RPG: 8.6, AssPG: 0.7) added 15 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. Petrova (Season PPG: 11.27, RPG: 5.9, AssPG: 1.0) posted 16 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, hitting four threes (44 years, 1.71m, BGR). Skrijelj (Season PPG: 10.36, RPG: 9.2, AssPG: 1.9) ran the show with 11 points and 12 assists, close to a triple-double (8 rebounds).
For Esch, Nibbelink (Season PPG: 11.64, RPG: 8.00, AssPG: 1.17) battled for 28 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out. Kyra Coulon (Season PPG: 9.27, RPG: 2.23, AssPG: 1.08) had 14 points, while Katia Jemming (Season PPG: 6.20, RPG: 4.08, AssPG: 1.75) added 5 points and 6 assists. Contern's overseas duo led, the locals Skrijelj and Claire Lavandier (5 pts, 4 OR) supported; for Esch, locals Coulon and Jemming complemented Nibbelink.
Contern moves to 3rd in the classification and is on a two-game winning streak; Esch remains 5th and has dropped three straight. The result also flips the season's head-to-head after Esch's 83-71 win in the first meeting.
(AI generated)