Basket Esch took control after a balanced opening and beat Musel Pikes 79-49 in the W-Enovos League second round. Musel started better and led 18-16 after the first quarter, with Lilli Fischer closing the period through a three-point play. The game turned completely in the second quarter: coach Vincent Gevrey's team won it 31-10 and flipped a two-point deficit into a 47-28 halftime lead.
The key stretch came from 24-22, when Esch imposed its inside game and defensive rebounding. Later in the quarter, Esch also produced a 14-0 run from 33-26 to 47-26. Eden Nibbelink (Season PPG: 14.00, RPG: 10.2, AssPG: 1.8) and 38-year-old Belarusian guard Tatsiana Likhtarovich (Season PPG: 17.71, RPG: 5.05, AssPG: 5.2) combined for 21 points in that decisive second period.
Nibbelink was the clear MVP with 26 points and 20 rebounds, adding 3 assists. Likhtarovich followed with 16 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds, shooting a good 62.5% on 2-pointers. Around them, Kyra Coulon added 12 points, and Jovana Jaksic scored 11 with an excellent 4/4 at the line.
Musel never recovered despite a solid game from 1.88m Canadian forward/center Mackenzie Farmer (Season PPG: 18.67, RPG: 8.54, AssPG: 2.73), who finished with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Alexandra Weber gave 8 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, while Julie Nilles scored 7.
Statistically, Esch's edge was clear: good 54.9% on 2-pointers, a 53-33 rebounding advantage and 16 assists to 7. Musel stayed below that level at 37.2% from 2 and 15.4% from 3. In this Enovos League game, Esch also had two professional players available against one for Musel, an important factor. Esch now leads the season series 2-1, while Musel's losing streak reaches four games.
(AI generated)