Regularity in performance is what the JDA has been looking for for a few weeks, being capable of nice shots (victories in front of Strasbourg, Levallois) or big gaps (-34 against Bourg at home, -11 in Cholet). A regularity that Le Mans Sarthe Basket had also lost a little lately, with 4 defeats in the last 8 games. Two teams close in the standings, and which ultimately were not really on the floor since Dijon won by 25 points (100-75).
No doubt wanting to test the physical solidity of the premises, it was the MSB who printed a frantic pace from the start (19-19, 7th). Not necessarily the best solution when one is diminished. Two notable absentees were indeed missing on the side of the troops of Eric Delord since Scott Bamforth and Kaza Kajami-Keane were in civilian clothes. With a smaller rear base, the Manceaux therefore quickly stuck out their tongues, in front of a Dijon team which did not seem tired of their thriller at the Halle Vacheresse.
Physically dominant ultras (40 rebounds to 27 in the end), the Burgundians hit loud and clear, like Rashard Kelly (17 points and 5 rebounds), exemplary in combat and in intensity. The duo David Holston (14 points and 6 assists) – Khadeen Carrington (16 points in 16 minutes) made the speed of foot and wrist speak in front of visitors who could not find a second wind, before the American rear – left injured in the lip – let his friend Holston finish the job. Darius Johnson-Odom (15 points and 3 assists) opposite struggled a bit in a vacuum, scoring without influence on the game. At the break the score was already final, and would remain so (55-34, 20th).
Le Mans minced physically
In delicacy at 3-point shooting this season, the JDA made its address speak this time, finishing with a nice 12/26 behind the arc. The local collective (119 evaluation in the end) was at the party this Monday evening, each player entering the game (11) having scored at least one basket. However, the meeting was very messy. in the second periodwith naturally sagging premises and a freewheeling MSB, which did not totally sink thanks to the interior duo Dante Cunningham (10 points and 6 rebounds) – Ta Shawn Thomas (19 points at 9/12).
In a burst of energy, the Burgundians put a final push to reach the 100-point mark in front of a Palais des Sports satisfied with the performance of their favorite team. The MSB bowing very logically in view of the proposed score (100-75).
After a timid start to the season, Dijon joined Le Mans in fourth place in this championship with this 13th success in 21 league games. Here are the men of Nenad Markovic finally launched?