Winner in pain of Pau-Lacq-Orthez, Monaco regains the lead of the Betclic Elite ahead of Cholet and Boulogne-Levallois. For their part, Le Mans and Gravelines pushed Blois and Le Portel a little further.
Thirteenth victory of the season in Betclic Elite for Monaco! Between a trip to Belgrade and the reception of Olympiakos in the Euroleague, the Roca Team faced Pau-Lacq-Orthez on the occasion of the 16th day of the championship, and they won 83-77, not without trembling. The Monegasques had started the game well by leading 25-20 at the end of the first quarter, and spent the entire second quarter in front, but the Elan were never very far, remaining between three and seven points from Monaco, to finally return to the locker room being only led 45-42. Pau managed to get ahead at the start of the third quarter (47-48), before seeing the Roca Team take control. But when starting the last quarter, the score was only 61-58 and everything was possible for the Pau. Monaco stepped on the accelerator to take a nine-point lead (69-60) and thought they might have done the hardest part, but Pau slowly came back to equalize at 77-77. There were then 50 seconds left to play, but the vice-champions of France magnificently managed the money-time by signing a 6-0 thanks to the free throws, while Michael Stockton missed two. The Roca Team went through a mouse hole, but it remains a victory, thanks in particular to 22 points from Mike James (14 for Giovan Oniangue and Vitalis Chikoko on the Pau side).
Blois and Le Portel at bay
For its part, Le Mans (6th) signed a third victory in a row by sinking a little more Blois, who lost his eighth game in a row in the league and found himself penultimate. Les Manceaux won 100-85 making the difference in the last quarter, winning 30-12. The score was indeed still 77-77 with seven minutes remaining, but the promoted cracked. Tres Tinkle greatly contributed to this Le Mans victory, with 26 points (20pts for Thomas Cornely on the Blois side). At the start of the afternoon, Gravelines-Dunkerque had won the “Opalico”, the derby of the Côte d’Opale, against Portel with a score of 79-73, also making the difference in the last quarter, and with a Dominik Olejniczak on fire, author of 23 points. The Portel is close to the red zone while the BCM remains in the soft belly.
