The Saarlouis Royals are off to a blazing start in their German title defense.

Romy Bär poured in a game-high 26 points and came up with four steals as Saarlouis won for the third consecutive game at the weekend.

Royals fans are growing accustomed to seeing Bär, the great hope of German women's basketball, put up big numbers.

She exploded for 25 points and hauled in 11 rebounds in their season-opening triumph over Rhein Main and then scored 17 points in their second victory over Wolfenbüttel.

On the injury front, Rene Spandauw's team, which is taking part in this year's EuroCup Women, is playing without Lina Schiffer.

She recently had a second operation on her Achilles tendon.

"Everything went well," Schiffer said.

"The doctor says that I can play in about six months. It could have been worse."

Mondeville Off And Running

Another EuroCup Women outfit, USO Mondeville, has begun the season with three straight triumphs.

Limoges became the latest victims of Herve Coudray's team in France, falling 77-58 over the weekend.

Mondeville, who defeated Villeneuve d'Ascq in their previous game, were without injured duo Lenae Williams and Touty Gandega against Limoges but still won convincingly.

Williams hurt her thigh in training while Gandega has a knee injury.

Mondeville had a balanced scoring attack against Limoges with Ukraine international Valeriya Berezhynska's 15 points leading the way.

Aurélie Bonnan had 12 points and 11 rebounds while Latvia's Aija Putnina finished with 13 points and six boards.

Mondeville, Tarbes and Arras, who upset Bourges in Week Three, are the only sides still unbeaten in France.