BBC East Side Pirates edged Etzella Ettelbruck 49-47 in a tight W-Nationale 2 return game, completing the season sweep after October's 59-53 win. Coach Stephane Roger Saïd's side built the platform with a dominant first quarter (17-6), opening 0-6 and stretching the largest lead to 12 at 15-27 shortly before halftime (27-17).
Etzella, guided by coach Amadeo Dias ep. Bordang, clawed back after the break. Threes by Selma Jung (Season PPG: 6.07) and Léa Gomes (Season PPG: 5.40) trimmed it to 25-31, but Pirates kept answers coming through Lynn Frank (Season PPG: 12.50) and Denise Kirsche (Season PPG: 10.63). Early in the fourth, Nina Schmit (Season PPG: 8.94) hit a key three for 43-33, yet Etzella refused to fold.
Down 39-47 late, Etzella strung together an 8-0 run: Gomes scored at the rim, Amina Kocan (Season PPG: 7.92) added another basket, captain Anouk Reisch (Season PPG: 7.67) coolly sank two free throws, and Jung tied it at 47-47. The decisive reply came from Carole LAPLUME (40, 1.83m), who hit the go-ahead two for 49-47 in the closing moments.
Top performers
- Pirates: Schmit 14 points, steady across all four quarters; Lizardo (Season PPG: 5.50) 12, including a burst in Q1; Frank 10 and composed late free throws; LAPLUME 6 with the winner; Kirsche (Germany) 5 and a useful second-quarter push.
- Etzella: Kocan 14 despite late foul trouble (picked up her fourth in Q4 and still scored twice); Jung 10 with a clutch layup to tie; Reisch 10 including 2/2 at the line in crunch time; Reding (Season PPG: 5.44) 6; Gomes 5 with a big third-quarter three and a late drive.
Game flow mattered: Pirates' early control, Etzella's third-quarter perimeter surge, then the hosts' 8-0 sprint to level before LAPLUME's dagger. With this close win, Pirates climb to 3rd (ranking gain +2) and are on a five-game winning streak. Etzella remain 9th.
(AI generated)