MADAGASCAR – The Trinity Western Spartans fell 54-45 to the Madagascar Military team (GNBA) in the Madagascar round-robin tournament championship match on Thursday, May 9 at Gymnase couvert Mahamasina in Madagascar. TWU had lost to GNBA 65-55 in round-robin play.
It was a long day of basketball for the Spartans as they hosted a camp for older kids on the outdoor courts before the game.
Fourth-year guard Hailey Van Rokel (Langley, B.C.) with 13 points, and seven rebounds, Fourth-year guard
Jayden Gill (Abbotsford, B.C.) with 11 points, third-year guard
Shemaiah Abatayo (Vancouver, B.C.) with six points, and first-year centre
Blessing Ibekwe (Coquitlam, B.C.) with five points led the Spartans.
The teams were back-and-forth in the opening quarter with TWU trailing 15-14 after the first quarter and leading 24-22 at the half. GNBA started to take control and led 41-36 heading into the fourth quarter. GNBA continued their run and finished the game with a nine-point victory.
QUOTABLE
Head coach Cheryl Jean-Paul
"Both teams were exhausted, but we held our own for a lot of the game, they just had a little more push in the second half. Their discipline and resilience was on display in the second half as they were able to take advantage of our turnovers and easy misses. We had the opportunity to spend a morning with this group of young women, so to know now them personally and to hear their commitment to military training and their country, provided a deeper understanding of the lives of women in this part of the world."
"Despite the loss, our testimony of staying behind and giving out gifts to the other team and taking pictures with kids and coaches spoke volumes. It's easy to do those things after winning, but we demonstrated a different attitude towards losing, graciously serving those around us and showing the love of God to our new Malagasy friends. Throughout the week we had been giving out Spartan gear, t-shirts, Canadian keepsakes, blessing caps, and little treats after our games so we want to take this opportunity to thank all those back home who have been praying for us and have blessed us financially. We could not have made this trip happen without the support of many and our lives as well as the lives we encountered, will never be the same."
SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 4 Madagascar MB2All, top club team from Tana, at Barea Stadium at 4 p.m.
Monday, May 6 Madagascar Military Team (GNBA) at Petit Palais Mahamasina at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, May 7 Madagascar AIA Team at Gymnase couvert Mahamasina at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, May 8 semi-finals vs MB2ALL at Gymnase couvert Mahamasina at 4 p.m.
Thursday, May 9 Madagascar Military Team (GNBA) at Gymnase couvert Mahamasina at 2 p.m. with award presentations to follow.
The Spartans will return to Langley, B.C. on May 12.
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 14 U SPORTS team championships and 33 Canada West team championships.
About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in CIS sports. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
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