Arantia Larochette edged Musel Pikes B 68-67 after overtime in a very tight opening Phase 1 game, a result that places Arantia first and Musel Pikes B second in the early table.
The game changed direction several times. Arantia opened with Sarah Nunes Birchen (16) from long range, but Musel Pikes B answered and closed the first quarter in front, 13-12. In the second period, Arantia moved ahead 21-15, then Musel Pikes B produced one of the key runs of the evening: 10 unanswered points to turn that deficit into a 25-21 lead. Lisa Kleuls (16, 1.70m) was central in that stretch with 8 points in a row. The teams still reached halftime level at 25-25.
The third quarter belonged mostly to Tom Schmitz's team. After Arantia had gone back in front 35-30, Musel Pikes B reacted strongly and built a 47-40 advantage by the end of the period. The home side later stretched the margin to 56-44, its highest lead at 12 points. Arantia, coached by Joao Pedro Osorio Silva, stayed composed and answered with a strong comeback, with Erika De Sousa Silva (17) and Sarah Nunes Birchen carrying much of the scoring load. Lucie Rock (16) hit the tying three for 61-61 late in the fourth quarter.
In overtime, Musel Pikes B regained a 67-66 lead, but Arantia handled the last possessions better. Nunes Birchen tied it at the line, and Sara Ferreira Afonso (15) added the winning free throw.
Top scorers were Erika De Sousa Silva with 18, Sarah Nunes Birchen with 17 and Suellen Santos Cruz (18) with 12 for Arantia. For Musel Pikes B, Lisa Kleuls scored 19, Sonia Garcia Garcia (14) added 15, and Charlotte Schmitz (14) plus Coralie Heynen (15) had 10 each. Arantia also had to manage Clara Walter's disqualifying foul in the second quarter.
(AI generated)