AB Contern B edged BC Mess 55-54 after overtime in Contern/Central, completing a 2-0 sweep of the matchup this season (53-48 away in the first meeting). The hosts prevailed thanks to late free throws from Lisa Zoller, who calmly hit three in the extra period, including the decisive point for 55-54.
The game swung repeatedly. Mess opened 0-5 through Lynn Thilges and Noémie Schammo before Contern answered behind Laura Bernardy and a Sophie Grivet triple to lead 11-9. The first quarter closed 19-18 on a Lori Zoller three. Contern built its largest lead (+6) in the second frame at 25-19 via Tessy Margue (41) and the steady foul-line work of Amélie Laure Sybertz, reaching halftime 30-26.
Mess flipped the script after the break with a 10-0 run to 30-36, sparked by Schammo's third-quarter flurry (eight points in the period) and buckets from Hannah Pauly. Contern trailed 35-39 entering the fourth and fell again to -6 after two Thilges free throws, but responded: Lori Zoller's three tied it at 41-41, Lisa Zoller struck from deep for 44-43, and Grivet's late jumper made it 48-46 before Pauly forced overtime with a clutch three (49-49).
In OT, Schammo pushed Mess ahead 51-53 and later 51-54 at the line, yet Contern stayed composed. Lisa Zoller knocked down two free throws for 53-54, Grivet tied it, and Zoller hit the winner. The extra period was shaped by foul trouble: Mess lost both starters Thilges (17 points) and Mara Thein to five fouls, while Contern's captain Margue (9 points) also fouled out. Youngster Jordane Pyee (16, FRA) had earlier broken a Mess drought in the second quarter.
Top contributors stood out on both sides. For Contern: Lisa Zoller (13), Sybertz (11), Margue (9) and Grivet (6) delivered at key moments; Lori Zoller added 8. For Mess: Schammo led all scorers with 19, Thilges added 17, and Pauly 10 including the shot that forced OT.
With this close win, Contern B climbs to 4th (+2) in W-Nationale 2, while Mess sits 12th (-1). Coach Elisabeth Engel's group also extends its positive trend from recent outings, whereas Mess's late push fell just short under Joao Carlos Santiago Janeiro.
(AI generated)