Kordall Steelers won 58-50 after controlling the middle part of the game and surviving a late push from Amicale Steesel. It was their first win over Amicale this season after two narrow earlier losses, and it also stopped a seven-game losing streak.
The opening quarter stayed balanced. Amicale briefly moved in front 6-5 with four straight points from Leandra Pires De Sousa (Season PPG: 5.92), but Kordall answered with an 8-0 run to go from 9-10 to 17-10. Amicale cut it back to 14-17 before the break. In the second period, Kordall went from 17-15 to 21-15, then Amicale reacted well and tied at 21-21. Coach Julien Bordonne's team still finished the half better and led 30-25.
The decisive stretch came in the third quarter. Kordall won it 22-13 and built the gap with repeated finishes by 13-year-old Ema Babacic from Montenegro, who produced 24 points, including 10 in that quarter alone. From 29-35, the Steelers pushed to 44-30, with Babacic (Season PPG: 17.79) and Esperanza Beatrice Demeusy Rotolo (Season PPG: 6.00) driving the run. Kordall later reached its highest lead at 58-40 early in the fourth.
Amicale did not stop competing. Alexandra Lamesch's side closed the game with 10 unanswered points, cutting the margin back to eight. Marlene Beauloye (Season PPG: 9.54), Mary-Lou Tholl (Season PPG: 4.00), Birgul Derya Tasoluk (Season PPG: 7.79) and Pires De Sousa all scored 8 points, giving the home side balanced production. Ella Medernach added 5 points, while Eva Silva Dinis and Liz Adam each contributed despite picking up 3 fouls.
For Kordall, Babacic was clearly the difference-maker, well supported by Demeusy Rotolo's 11 points and Leticia Da Silva Costa's 7. The visitors also managed four fouls on both Demeusy Rotolo and Lea Njia Nouemsi without losing control of the game.
(AI generated)