Stuttgart edged Musel Pikes 73-70 after a game with two strong momentum swings.
Coach Rouven Behnke's team started better and built the first clear cushion. Musel moved from 4-8 to 14-8 with an 10-0 answer and later pushed the lead to 29-19 in the second period, their highest margin. Ella Joy Gallatin (MUS) was already active early, while Sophia Margaret Nolan (MUS) and Myrielle Platte Behnke (MUS) gave useful scoring support.
Stuttgart, coached by Edgars L., changed the rhythm before the break. Dianna I. (STU) led the comeback and the visitors closed the half on a 16-4 run to go in front at 35-33.
The third period was the key stretch. Stuttgart opened it with a 9-0 burst for 44-33, then kept control behind Dianna I. (STU), Katara L. (STU) and Hannah D. (STU). Musel answered through a remarkable solo run from Gallatin (MUS), who scored 10 straight points to cut 33-44 to 43-44. She stayed on fire and produced 24 of her 34 points after halftime, including several big free throws and back-to-back threes.
For Musel, Gallatin (MUS) was clearly the standout, with Platte Behnke (MUS) adding 13 and Lesley Leches (21, 1.80m) contributing 7. Alexandra Weber (26, 1.68m) hit an important late three. For Stuttgart, Dianna I. (STU) finished with 28 and was the central offensive piece, with Katara L. (STU) on 9, and Hannah D. (STU) plus Selin B. (STU) on 8 each. Stuttgart also had a fighting foul charged to Leticia P. (STU) in the third period.
Musel came back again to 70-71, but in the last decisive sequence Katara L. (STU) made two free throws to secure the narrow win.
(AI generated)