Paris stumbles. Solidly moored in second place in the Championship behind Monaco (10-1, which faces Blois on Sunday), the capital’s club, which was on a nine-game winning streak (Championship and Eurocup combined) and had not lost in a month, was unable to stifle the Roannaise team (76-83).
Even though they were diminished and only armed with seven professionals, Jean-Denys Choulet’s team took full advantage of Paris Basketball’s slow start, fatigued by the succession of matches, but otherwise better equipped than its opponent to take the first quarter, which they won 28-14.
By taking the Parisians at their own game – a quick, intense and euphoric basketball style – Roannais built a lead that they were later able to maintain despite Paris approaching (68-72, 35th minute), even after Jordan Tucker (12 points) had to leave due to an ankle injury. After scoring 27 points in 26 minutes, Nadir Hifi was contained to 9 points (4/14).
More aggressive and rigorous (10 turnovers compared to 18 for Paris, 27 free throws obtained compared to 15), supported by Yannis Morin (13 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks), Kellan Grady (13 points) and DJ Cooper (11 points, 6 assists), the Roannais inflicted a third defeat on their visitor – who remains second behind the Roca Team at 9-3 – and themselves followed up a third win after Bourg (84-81, in Bresse) and Limoges (79-76). This was enough to give them a bit of breathing space out of the relegation zone (5-7).
Strasbourg turns things around against Le Portel
Similarly, Strasbourg also ended up with the same record after its improbable comeback against Le Portel (90-75). With fourteen minutes left, the Northerners, up in the air like in their previous six matches – six wins – were firmly in control of the game (60-41). Despite only one win in its last five Elite League matches, SIG added 34 points to put the game in its favor.
While they gave up 101 points to Chalon last week, the men of Massimo Cancellieri suddenly became possessed to better their defense, only allowing 15 points from Le Portel (19 for Ivan February). Each player had their moments. Junior Etou, replacing the injured Leo Cavaliere, recaptured the game with 4 points (65-65, 34th) then Quinton Hooker and Phil Booth both scored 20 points and 14 assists between them. Daniel Akin scored 21 points (going 15/16 in shooting during his last two Championship matches) and last but not least, Paul Lacombe. After missing the last few weeks due to an ankle injury, the Swiss Army knife international delivered 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 interceptions.
320 – The number of games played by Paul Lacombe (all competitions combined) under the Strasbourg jersey, making him the most capped “SIGman” in history in front of Jérémy Leloup, whom he surpassed on Saturday.
Le Portel maintains an equal record (6-6) despite its improbable loss of tension.
The expected outcome in Bourg and Dijon
In the other matches of the day, Bourg, after two disappointing performances against Roanne (81-84) and against the newcomer Saint-Quentin (61-92), set the record straight by venting their anger on another Elite League newcomer, Chalon-sur-Saône, in Bresse (90-67).
With five players beyond 10 points (14 for Zaccharie Risacher, 13 for Maksim Salash and Bryce Brown), the suspense was already gone after the first quarter (24-10, 10th, 49-28 at halftime). Fred Fauthoux’s men (8-4) remain within reach of the top three and are now breathing down Paris’ neck (9-3, 2nd). They can be joined by Asvel, who is on the road against Cholet on Sunday.
Dijon, which is having a tough start of the season (5-7), did not make any mistakes against Saint-Quentin, even though the course of the match, with a second half lost 31-41 to the newcomer (also 5-7), did not completely reassure them.
Earlier in the afternoon, Gravelines-Dunkerque clinched a second consecutive win by defeating Nancy (83-76).
