AB Contern edged Liège 65-64 in a tight friendly at Contern/Central, decided in the final possessions after dramatic swings on both sides.
Contern started solidly (18-16 after Q1) and built control in the second quarter. From 27-26, the hosts pieced together an 11-3 stretch sparked by Lara Wies and Ana Petrova, capped by a Caileigh Ann Walsh triple for the largest home lead at 38-29, before reaching halftime at 38-31.
Liège answered after the break. Eva Hambursin, Manon Keppenne and Marine Cop fueled a 12-18 quarter that briefly flipped the lead after a Manon Descamps three, though Contern still nudged ahead 50-49 entering the fourth. Then came a visiting surge: Da Nasia Hood drilled a three, added two drives and another three, with Aliyah Kenny scoring in between, for a 12-2 run to 52-61 Liège's biggest margin (+9). Hood poured in 10 points during that spell.
Coach Fabienne Fuger's group reacted. Walsh (23, 1.91m, USA) strung together five straight points, Stefanie Grace Kulesza (22, 1.83m, USA) hit from deep, and captain Esmeralda Skrijelj (30, 1.78m) followed with a three and a two to complete a 13-0 swing for 65-61. Keppenne's late three cut it to one, but Contern held on. Skrijelj's final two proved decisive.
Top performers
- Contern: Walsh dominated with 34 points, carrying scoring through all four quarters. Kulesza added 12, while Skrijelj contributed 7 crucial points in the closing run. Petrova (43, 1.71m, BGR) chipped in 8, including two third-quarter threes.
- Liège: Hood led with 22 and was the catalyst of the fourth-quarter burst. Keppenne had 9 with the clutch late triple, Hambursin also 9, and Ine Van der Hoiydonks 7.
Notes on game flow
- Both teams reached a nine-point lead at different moments (Contern 38-29; Liège 61-52).
- Hood committed back-to-back personals in Q3 but stayed impactful for Liège's late push.
- Contern's closing sequence came immediately after a timeout, reflecting timely adjustments by coach Fuger, while Pierre Cornia's side nearly stole it with perimeter shot-making in the final minute.
(AI generated)