Leiden ZZ controlled the game early and beat Gréngewald Hueschtert 88-74 in Oberanven. GRE had the first small edge through Leisha Burridge (18, GBR) and Akilah Bethel (GRE) at 5-2, but Leiden quickly changed the rhythm. From 7-5 down, the visitors produced a 12-0 run to 17-7, then extended again to 30-11. That opening gave coach Thijs Volmer's team a 33-15 first quarter and set the tone.
Coach Andrea Haris got a response from GRE in the second period. Olivia Olsen (GRE) and Bethel carried the offense, and Gréngewald won the quarter 22-17 to cut the gap to 50-37 at halftime. Bethel finished with 27 points and Olsen added 22, a strong output after she had already committed three fouls in a row in the first quarter. Maé Manti (18, 1.56m, LUX) scored 10, and Burridge added 9 with three 3-pointers.
The key moment came just after the break. GRE reduced the deficit to 41-50 with baskets from Dorkas von Arx and Bethel, but Leiden answered immediately. Anna Ekerstedt (LEN), Kathelijne van Bennekom (LEN) and Beyza Okayben (LEN) pushed the score out again, and the visitors reached 71-52 late in the third quarter. Their highest lead later grew to 23 points at 75-52.
Leiden placed four players in double figures: van Bennekom 21, Ekerstedt 18, Okayben 15 and captain Kim Schrama (LEN) 12. Van Bennekom's four 3-pointers were important, while Ekerstedt scored 7 points in a late third-quarter surge. GRE kept competing in the last period and closed to 70-81, with Bethel and Olsen still producing, but Leiden answered through Florinne Boekenstijn, Schrama and Nadia Hilla to keep a safe margin.
(AI generated)
Gréngewald Hueschtert