Basket Esch edged Mainz 86-78 in a friendly at esch/ho4, pulling away late after trailing by one at both half (37-38) and after three quarters (57-58). The visitors struck first with an 8-0 burst in Q1 to flip 9-5 into 9-13 and led 13-17. Esch answered in Q2 with a 9-0 run from 20-25 to 29-25, but Mainz steadied to sneak back in front at the break. The third quarter was a shootout: Taylor Golennbiewski (MAZ) repeatedly connected from deep, with Jordan Barron (MAZ) adding range, while Tatsiana Likhtarovich (37, 1.78m, BLR) and Jovana Jaksic (33, 1.77m) hit back to keep it tight.
The game turned early in Q4. Likhtarovich opened with a triple and Jaksic then strung together 7 straight Esch points (2, 3, 2) in a decisive phase that ballooned the lead to 73-61. Eden Elizabeth Nibbelink added key baskets in that stretch before later fouling out, by which time the hosts had control. Mainz responded through the line and another Barron three, but Esch managed the clock and exchanges to the finish.
Top performers - Basket Esch: Likhtarovich 26, Jaksic 26, Katia Jemming (19, 1.53m) 11, Kyra Coulon (20, 1.78m) 6. Mainz: Golennbiewski 25, Barron 15, Alina Kraus 10, Charly Kriebel 9, Fee Zimmermann 8. Coaches: Karim Elbaoune's side executed better in winning time; Aron Duracak's group rode momentum swings and outside shooting but couldn't withstand Esch's fourth-quarter surge.
(AI generated)