The curse continues for Asvel against Monaco. For the ninth time in a row, the clash between the two standard-bearers of the French Championship in the Euroleague fell to Monaco on Tuesday evening on the Rock (92-82). This time it was a round of 16 of the Coupe de France which saw Villeurbanne disappear as soon as it entered the competition won in 2019 then 2021 before a final lost in 2023 against… Monaco.
The Rhone residents however held off the Principality club for more than three quarters. Nando De Colo (9 points, 4 assists) erased the first outburst suffered by his team (15-5, 4th) as soon as he came into play with a caviar for Mike Scott (13 points) at three points before going his personal winning shot (17-15, 6th). Pierric Poupet’s players even went ahead, on a basket signed by captain Charles Kahudi after a dribble behind the back and resisting contact from Motiejunas (36-37, 16th).
Strazel still decisive
But the Lithuanian pivot took his revenge straight away by first causing a technical foul for Youssoupha Fall before scoring three points (40-37, 17th), his favorite sector of the evening (16 points, 3 out of 3 to long distance). Far from this successful match, Fall (6 points, 4 rebounds) returned to the locker room in the middle of the third quarter, expelled for a severe unsportsmanlike foul. Stumbling, the Senegalese pivot collided with the crotch of Mike James, who was shooting.
Monaco’s star leader was in full swing (16 points, 9 assists) against Edwin Jackson, helpless in the face of his mid-distance arabesques. Donta Hall then signed the dunk of the evening, heading to the circle on a caviar from Elie Okobo (67-59, 29th). But the knockout blow came from a veteran of the Rhone house.
In James’ relay, Matthew Strazel flew through the last quarter by planting 10 of his 12 points against his training club, the last two on a counter-attack after a lost ball from Paris Lee (80-68, 35th). Called back to the bench, the young leader saw Jordan Loyd kill all the suspense a few moments later with a prize-winning basket (85-68, 36th).
Nanterre, Nancy, Dijon and Strasbourg qualified
Title holders, Monaco will meet in Trélazé on March 16 and 17 to play their quarter-final and a possible semi-final. The Roca Team will notably find Nancy, winner of Bourg-en-Bresse (95-87) thanks to the composure of Matt Mobley (15 points) on the free throw line at the end of the match. Under the eyes of former NBA best shooter Kyle Korver (best three-point percentage in 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2017), now assistant general manager in Atlanta, Tidjane Salaün and Cholet were eliminated in Strasbourg (87-77) .
Dijon won at Le Mans (85-80), led by Ahmad Caver (21 points, 4 rebounds). Finally, in the last round of 16 of the evening, Nanterre snatched their qualification against promoted Saint-Quentin (76-74) on a double step from Desi Rodriguez one minute from the final buzzer. Lucas Boucaud missed the equalizer for Saint-Quentinois. Gravelines will challenge Pau-Orthez (Pro B) on Wednesday, Le Portel will host Boulogne-Levallois on Thursday before a 100% Pro B duel between Champagne Basket and Vichy, on February 26, to conclude the round of 16.
2024-02-13 21:25:33
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