Ste Marie won a close friendly in Oberanven, 67-61, after resisting two strong Amicale Steesel momentum swings.
The game started on even terms at 20-20. Amicale had early inside production from Brooke Madison Flowers (AMI), while Marie Steller (STM) and Perrine Ory (STM) kept Ste Marie level. The first break came in the second quarter: Ste Marie won it 13-6, turned 20-20 into a 33-26 halftime lead, and already showed more scoring depth with Ilana Puech (STM), Steller and Ophélie Delpierre (STM) contributing.
Coach Alain Scjaeffer's team reacted well after the break. Amicale cut the gap through Marie Stoffel (23, 1.77m), Desiree Ramos (AMI) and Flowers, even moving in front 38-37. Ste Marie answered immediately, though, with a key burst: Puech scored inside, then hit a three, and Emily Leid (STM) added another three for a 45-38 lead. That sequence stopped Amicale's comeback and gave Ste Marie a 47-41 edge entering the last quarter.
The decisive stretch came in the fourth. Ste Marie reached its biggest lead at 50-41, but Amicale replied with 10 straight points: Mangen scored, Stoffel hit from deep, Ramos added a three, and Flowers put Amicale ahead 51-50. Later, Julie Mangen (28, 1.64m) extended it to 56-52 with a big three.
Ste Marie still finished better. Jennifer Kneib (STM) and Leid hit back-to-back threes to flip 59-57 into 63-59, and Ory plus Puech closed the game at the line and near the basket.
Flowers was Amicale's main offensive force with 24 points, with Ramos adding 16, Mangen 10 and Stoffel 9. For the winners, Steller led with 18 points, Puech had 15, Ory 11 and Leid 9, all from three-point shots. Ste Marie's balance and late execution made the difference.
(AI generated)
Amicale Steesel