Fourth-placed AB Contern won a close one at fifth-placed Résidence Walferdange, 70-65, stopping a three-game losing run while Walferdange slipped to a sixth straight defeat.
The game turned on Contern's control of the middle quarters. Walferdange stayed close early at 14-17, then briefly moved in front in the second period at 24-21 after a 10-4 stretch. Dave Schroeder's team answered well: Kadija Macalou (Season PPG: 8.00) and Julie Braun Silva (Season PPG: 23.19) pushed Contern back in front, and the visitors closed the half 14-2 to lead 35-26.
Christophe Fiegen's side came out strongly after the break with six straight points to cut it to 32-35, but that was the key response moment from Contern. Braun Silva took over, and Contern produced a powerful 28-10 spell across the third quarter to open the game up. The lead peaked at 21 points, 63-42, before Contern entered the last period ahead 67-53.
Walferdange still made the finish tense. Jill Stoltz (Season PPG: 16.88) led the chase with 22 points, and the 14-year-old French player Maella Faye (Season PPG: 10.50) added 16. After Braun Silva hit the visitors' last basket for 70-58, Walferdange scored the final seven points of the game and held Contern to only 3 points in the fourth quarter, but the comeback came too late.
Braun Silva was decisive with 21 points, including three 3-pointers. Macalou added 14, Céline Kerschen scored 13 with three 3s, and the 15-year-old Irish guard Emily Quirke contributed 10. For Walferdange, Stoltz carried much of the offense with 11 made free throws, while Treyscha Boayue scored 10 and Kyra Schanck added 6.
(AI generated)