W-U16 Division 2, Phase 2 - Championship round, game 3. Telstar Hesperange edged BC Mess 70-64 after a tense finish, reversing a late surge by the hosts in a game that swung sharply after halftime.
The first half was balanced (19-18, then 33-33 at the break). Telstar imposed itself in the third with a 20-8 quarter, sparked by Ketsiah Joy Dor (33 pts, Season PPG: 28.17) who strung together free throws and drives, and by Inès Sarah Kambire (17 pts, Season PPG: 25.17). The visitors led by 12 at 41-53 after three and quickly stretched their largest advantage to +16 at 41-57 early in the fourth.
Mess, coached by Joao Carlos Santiago Janeiro, answered with a 19-2 run to seize a 60-59 lead. Hannah Meysembourg (24 pts, Season PPG: 18.29), 14 years old, authored six straight points in that spell, with Favor Patience Kobrissa (17 pts, Season PPG: 10.57) adding key inside baskets despite two quick fouls picked up in the first quarter. Lara Da Costa Nobrega (10 pts, Season PPG: 5.14) chipped in with consecutive free throws and a layup to ignite the comeback.
The closing minutes belonged to Telstar. Dor and Kambire combined for crucial scores, and Chelsea Keniyah Djomby (11 pts, Season PPG: 4.6), the 12-year-old French guard, added a late basket as Telstar closed on an 11-4 run from 60-59. In the fourth quarter, Telstar's coach Dion-Yélé Florent Kambire received two C1 technical fouls.
Top contributors: for Telstar, Dor and Kambire led, with Djomby and Rose Rosena Sanon Louarn (5 pts) supporting. For Mess, Meysembourg and Kobrissa headlined, with Maéna Barandao-Bakele (9 pts, Season PPG: 10.29) and Da Costa Nobrega providing depth.
In the standings, Telstar climbs to 2nd (+3), while Mess drops to 5th and remains winless in Phase 2 (0-3). Mess's run of defeats extends to six straight. Telstar also takes the season series so far, after the 87-69 win in Phase 1.
(AI generated)