Etzella Ettelbruck edged AB Contern B 57-53 in a tight W-Nationale 2 matchup in Contern, splitting the season series 1-1 after Contern's 51-46 win in Ettelbruck earlier. The game was balanced for long stretches: tied 24-24 at halftime, ETZ used a 7-1 close to the third to lead 36-34 and then struck early in the fourth to create separation.
Game evolution turned on runs. Contern had an 8-0 surge late in Q2 to overturn a 16-22 deficit to 24-22 before ETZ tied it at the break. After Selma Jung (Season PPG: 5.77) opened Q3 with a triple, Contern answered with a 6-0 burst to go up 32-29, but ETZ replied immediately and carried a two-point cushion into the last quarter. There, coach Amadeo Dias's team opened with a 7-2 push to 43-36 and later built the night's largest lead at 56-47.
Contern fought back. Tessy Margue (Season PPG: 7.85) kept the hosts alive with four consecutive free throws early in the fourth, and Laura Bernardy (Season PPG: 6.14) hit a late three to trim it to 53-56. But Jung's free throw in the final sequence settled it for ETZ.
Anouk Reisch (Season PPG: 7.45), the 25-year-old guard (1.69m), was decisive with 15 points, including two fourth-quarter threes and a late free throw. Jung added 12 and had back-to-back baskets during a key ETZ spurt. Support came from balanced six-point outings by Alyne Delgado dos Santos, Ella Reding and Sejla Bukvic.
For Contern, Bernardy led with 14, Margue scored 13 and Lori Zoller (Season PPG: 4.57) added 11, including a timely fourth-quarter three. Estonian veteran Kadri Türk (39, Season PPG: 2.86) provided 6 in a productive second quarter. Captain Jessica Hommel (Season PPG: 4.29) hit a late three but fouled out on consecutive infractions in the closing moments, a blow to coach Elisabeth Engel's rotations.
In the table, Contern remain 3rd (10-5) while ETZ sit 9th (5-9). The visitors were the game winners in a close finish, with Reisch and Jung delivering the crucial late points.
(AI generated)