Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup-Stars glitter with double |11 October 2005

After losing game one 38-52 to Bel Air, the Stars levelled the series on Saturday October 8 with a 59-52 win to force a decisive game three which they again won 64-52 to complete the double.

It was also a weekend to forget for Bel Air’s stand-in coach Lenny Aglaé who plays for Premium Cobras as he twice finished on the losing end.

Dethroned as League champions by the Stars, Bel Air had trouble finding a way past coach Michel Malbrook’s team’s defence and even coach Aglaé was annoyed that his players failed to set screens to free their teammates, something he stressed upon during every time-out called.

With the Stars leading 11-10 at the end of the first quarter, Bel Air managed to open a five-point lead (24-19) on a Patricia Samynadin 3-pointer and a Burtina Désir lay-up with 3:40 left in the second quarter. And the Bel Airians went for the break in command at 31-28 after Malagasy Lalatiana Razaiarisoa completed a three-point play.

Désir extended Bel Air’s lead to 33-28 in the opening 20 seconds of the third quarter but when centre Simone Malbrook put the Stars ahead at 34-33, Bel Air had to keep chasing the score.

The only time they equalised was at 40-40 on a veteran Thyra Boniface three-point play with 3.06 left in the third quarter.

Otherwise, they had no answer for the Stars who had former Sportslady of the Year Simone Asba in devastating form with a game-high 25 points, including three 3-pointers. Stars’ second best scorer was Malbrook with 19 points even though she fouled out with 00:54 left on the clock.

As for playmaker Lindy Mathiot, who intelligently organised Stars’ play, she played with four personal fouls for at least 25 minutes.

Malagasy forward Razaiarisoa led Bel Air in scoring with 17 points despite having to leave the court with five personal fouls with 4:14 left in the fourth quarter.
Samynadin (6:36) and Lindy Aglaé (00:04) also fouled out for Bel Air.

What they said:

Lindy Mathiot: Anse Etoile Stars’ playmaker: “We played intelligent basketball. Even though I was playing with four fouls, I remained focus on what I had to do. I’m happy we’ve achieved the double.”

Simone Asba – Anse Etoile Stars’ top scorer: “We regrouped in time to get the win. I was very determined for victory as I wanted to achieve the double with my team this year. I thank my teammates, my coach and all our supporters.”

G. G.