Sparta Bertrange won a one-point phase finale duel at US Heffingen, 48-47, in a game with momentum shifts almost all the way through. The phase 1 meeting had ended with a clear Sparta win, but this time the difference was only the last possession stretch.
Heffingen started better and went up 4-0 through Emma Koenig (Season PPG: 7.50), but Sparta quickly settled behind Anaé Sacaze (Season PPG: 23.46). The visitors closed the first quarter in front, 11-10. Sparta then created the first real gap at 18-12 in the second period, its highest lead at six. Heffingen answered with a strong 10-2 run to reach halftime ahead 22-20, with Léini Dostert (Season PPG: 10.30), Lina Sertznig (Season PPG: 3.91) and Amelia Morton (Season PPG: 7.50), the 12-year-old Australian, all contributing.
The third quarter was the most unstable passage. Sparta moved from 25-26 to 31-26 with six unanswered points, but Heffingen reacted again and even led 37-34 before Sacaze closed the quarter to put Sparta back in front, 38-37.
Heffingen still looked in control early in the last period at 45-41, with Dostert and Koenig carrying the offense. Then the ending changed around Sacaze. She scored all 10 Sparta points in the fourth quarter, including the last 4 in a row from 47-44 to 48-47. Her final line, 34 points, represented more than 70% of Sparta's scoring. Stéphanie Stoeva (Season PPG: 8.15) added 8 points.
For Heffingen, Dostert finished with 11, Morton 9, Koenig 8 and Lena Kugener (Season PPG: 8.09) 7 before fouling out late, which mattered in the closing minutes. Sparta stays 2nd in the phase finale standings, Heffingen is 3rd, and Sparta has now won three straight games.
(AI generated)