T71 Dudelange beat Amicale Steesel 66-53 after a game that remained close for three quarters. Amicale started better and led 14-11 after the first period. The visitors were still in front at halftime, 32-29, with Dezz Ramos (AMI) and Brooke Flowers (AMI) carrying much of the offense.
Tom Schumacher's team reacted well after the break. T71 opened the third quarter with a 5-0 run to go ahead 34-32, but Amicale answered again and moved back in front late in the period. At 41-38 for Steesel, Mina Baseggio (17) hit an important three to tie the score at 41-41 before the last quarter.
The decisive moment came early in the fourth. After Ramos tied it at 44-44, T71 produced a strong 5-0 push through Baseggio and Beatriz Ines Gomes Jordao (27, 1.91m, PRT), then extended that into a 22-9 finish from the tie. The final margin of 13 points was also T71's biggest lead.
T71's difference was balance: five players reached double figures. Lara Jemming (18, 1.72m) scored 13, Lauren Anne Van Kleunen (28, 1.88m, USA) added 13, Gomes Jordao had 12, Catherine Mreches (T71) 11 and Baseggio 11. Mreches was especially important early, scoring T71's first 9 points.
For Amicale, Ramos finished with 21 points and Flowers added 15. Ramos set the tone in the first half and her three-pointer for 44-44 briefly reopened the game, but T71 had more scoring options in the closing minutes.
(AI generated)