Musel Pikes won a close game in Steinsel, 72-66, and climbed to 2nd place in the W-Enovos League qualification round. Amicale Steesel, despite the defeat, also gained one place and is now 4th.
The game stayed tight throughout. Musel edged the 1st quarter 24-23 behind a major opening spell from Ella Joy Gallatin (Season PPG: 18.00, RPG: 10.13, AssPG: 4.13), who scored 15 points in the period and 18 before halftime. Amicale then produced one of the key runs of the evening: from 17-24 down, Alain Schaeffer's team answered with 10 straight points to lead 27-24 early in the 2nd quarter. Musel reacted quickly, regained control at 38-34, but Amicale closed the half with five consecutive points to stay within 38-36.
The 3rd quarter remained balanced. Steinsel briefly went back in front at 50-49 through Marie Stoffel (Season PPG: 12.20, RPG: 6.50, AssPG: 1.50), but Rouven Behnke's side finished the period ahead 52-50. In the last quarter, Musel created the decisive gap. After Flowers tied it at 52-52, the visitors answered with a 6-0 burst, then later pushed the margin to a game-high eight points at 70-62.
Gallatin was the clear game winner and MVP with 25 points, including good shooting from outside at 5/11 from three. Myrielle Nadine Platte Behnke (Season PPG: 14.00, RPG: 5.00, AssPG: 1.25) added 16 points, while Alexandra Weber (Season PPG: 8.00, RPG: 1.25, AssPG: 1.75) gave strong support with 8 points and excellent 2/3 three-point shooting.
For Amicale, Julie Mangen (Season PPG: 13.00, RPG: 2.75, AssPG: 1.50) and Brooke Madison Flowers (Season PPG: 18.00, RPG: 13.00, AssPG: 0.50) both scored 17. Mangen shot an excellent 4/4 at the line, while Flowers added 12 rebounds. Stoffel finished with 16. Teamwise, Amicale was good on 2-pointers (17/33, 52%), but Musel's good free-throw accuracy (6/7, 86%), 10 made threes and lower turnover count (13 against 18) made the difference.
(AI generated)