Nitia Bettembourg handled US Heffingen 61-49 in Bettembourg, shaping the game with steadier execution and timely runs. Heffingen started fast through Léini Dostert, who hit three straight baskets for the visitors' first six points. Coach Arnaud Pyée's side answered with a 7-0 burst fueled by Nadine Kabbah and Chiara Terazzi to take the first quarter 16-12. The second period remained balanced (29-24 at halftime), with Chiara Cataldo and Terazzi keeping Nitia narrowly in front.
The third quarter was the hinge. Terazzi (Season PPG: 12.90) controlled the tempo with frequent trips to the line and mid-range finishes, while Adèle Emma Schmidt added a key two and free throws. Heffingen's rotation took a hit when Amelia Joan Morton (12, AUS) fouled out late in the third, and Nitia opened a double-digit cushion (45-34).
In the fourth, Tonia Rodesch (Season PPG: 6.56) dominated the lane, stringing three baskets in a row for a personal 6-0 run that pushed the lead to the night's maximum of 14 (61-47). Heffingen's foul trouble deepened: Isabella Alves Novaes and then Dostert both fouled out, the latter after a strong 19-point showing. Lina Sertznig (12) battled to keep HEF in touch, but Nitia's interior scoring sealed it.
Top scorers: NIT Terazzi 20, Rodesch 12, Cataldo 9, Kabbah 8, Schmidt 6; HEF Dostert 19, Sertznig 12, Emma Koenig 7, Morton 7. The head-to-head is now 1-1 this season. In the Phase finale standings, Nitia jump to first, Heffingen sit second. Notably, Nitia have now won two straight after a four-game skid earlier. Coach José Alberto Pais Costa's team competed, but the cascade of fouls in the second half proved costly.
(AI generated)