Etzella Ettelbruck took this tight semi-final game in Steinsel, 83-80, after a stronger last phase of the fourth quarter. It was another win for ETZ against AMI this season, and Etzella also arrives on a three-game winning streak.
Amicale started better and led 12-7 before Etzella closed the first quarter at 12-10. The second period swung several times: AMI reached 31-25, but coach Gavin Love's team answered with an 8-0 run to go into halftime ahead 33-31. Amicale then produced its best stretch after the break, moving from 31-33 to 49-42 and later building the game's highest lead at 71-61 early in the last quarter.
That margin did not hold. Etzella came back with a 14-4 push to turn 61-71 into 75-73. After Alex Laurent (Season PPG: 13.85, RPG: 5.06, AssPG: 0.88) put AMI back in front 80-78 with a late three, Etzella finished on a decisive 5-0 sequence.
The main duel was between the two co-MVPs of the night. Ashton Lee Sherrell (Season PPG: 22.85, RPG: 8.61, AssPG: 1.00) scored 22 with an excellent 9/12 from 2-point range and added 11 rebounds. Nicholas Thomas Davis (Season PPG: 20.96, RPG: 10.42, AssPG: 1.55) answered with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 7 fouls drawn, shooting an excellent 7/9 on 2-pointers before fouling out. Billy Ray Mc Daniel Jr (Season PPG: 12.69, RPG: 6.31, AssPG: 1.44) was crucial with 24 points, including an excellent 7/7 on free throws and 3/4 from three. Adrian Jermaine Delph (Season PPG: 20.44, RPG: 6.45, AssPG: 3.34) added 14 and 5 assists.
For Amicale, Scott Morton (Season PPG: 9.37, RPG: 4.06, AssPG: 2.44) hit 20 points with 4/11 from three and also fouled out, while Malcolm Wesley Richardson (32, USA) had 10 points and 7 assists.
Team shooting showed the contrast: AMI was good at the line and inside, 12/14 FT and 19/30 on 2-pointers, but only 10/38 from three. ETZ stayed efficient enough with 26/34 FT and 18/35 on 2-pointers, and the extra 20 free-throw attempts were a major part of the game flow.
(AI generated)