Jefferson is back and it shows. The leader signs his comeback by scoring the first 5 Pau points (5-0, 2e). This good orbit is confirmed by an individual defense which closes all the good angles of passes from Portel, locks access to the circle and allows runs in attack. Oniangue took the opportunity to end his streak of 14 missed three-point shots (13-4, 5e). Le Portel is forced to go to the end of the possessions to feed the mark (15-7, 6e). By defending better and taking advantage of two 3-point sequences from Mangin, the ESSM is back (15-12, 8e). The arrivals of Ndiaye, Leloup and Hrovat bring a welcome defensive boost to Elan (21-14, 10e) even if the last word goes to Hifi at the almost 3-point buzzer.
2e QT : 39-37 (18-20)
An electrifying Jefferson – Ndiaye alley-hoop followed by a small number from the clever Gregor Hrovat ideally revived the Béarnais (25-17, 12e) who continue to show great defensive discipline. That of Portel is not bad either. Logically, the score tends to freeze (25-19, 14e). Barely entered the game, Sané goes there with his triple which revives the local machine (32-22, 15e). The energy deployed by both sides halted the addresses until Olujobi and Wojciechowski chained two 3-point baskets (34-30, 18e) which incite Bartecheky to take a first time-out. Then a second after two new guilty releases (37-35, 19e). The four 3-pointers scored by Le Portel from the 16th reduced the visitors to one possession at the break.
3e QT : 55-62 (16-25)
Wojciechowski’s third 3-pointer put Le Portel in the lead for the first time (39-40, 21st). Elan has the legs and the mind in the locker room and pays cash (39-44, 22e). The recall of Bibbins is necessary to try to put an end to the mismanagement and tame this defense which ruins all the initiatives. His contribution is immediate, Le Portel finds himself in the penalty from the 24the (45-46, 24e). The duel is bitter, lovers of great flights come back another evening! A trench basketball that suits the visitors and makes Bartecheky unpin who reaps his “technique” (45-50, 26e). The Elan rolls through the night with its headlights off, with a few throws, 8 in a row, as fuel (49-55, 28e). So when Leloup straightens 3 points, it’s deliverance (53-55, 28e). As in the first two quarters, it was Le Portel who finished the strongest, with a 0-5.
4th QT: 75-70 (20-8)
Archie, 3 points, launches the top of an 8-0 Pau dispatched in less than two minutes (63-62, 32e). A stunning sequence born of raw and effective defensive actions with a monstrous Ndiaye as pack leader. The Elan surfs on this dynamic to push the effort up to 13-0 (68-62) after seeing Jefferson take over at the mark. It takes an unlikely 3-pointer from Yarou at the 24-second limit to end Portel’s 5-minute goalless streak (68-65, 36e). A basket that breathes new life into the Northerners (68-70, 37th). A basket that breathes new life into the opportunistic Northerners on several offensive rebounds (68-70, 37e). The last minute is approached at 70-70 in general stress. An interception by Bibbins who ended up alone in the circle made the Palace roar (72-70, 37 sec. to play). The ball lost by Le Portel following gives Bibbins the opportunity to bend the match on the line, but the leader only makes 1 out of 2 (73-70). The Stellistyes have 15 seconds to equalize from distance. The Hifi attempt does not interfere with the good waves.
