In a tight match, the <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2024/03/union-tarbes-lourdes-master-drome-team-in-hard-fought-victory/" title="Union Tarbes-Lourdes Master Drôme Team in Hard-Fought Victory”>Haut-Pyrénées were able to stay united in order to achieve a precious success: 85 to 84, in Challans.
Traveling to a team undefeated in their home arena, and 3rd in the standings, the Union had a challenge to take up on Friday evening, even if Challans suffered 3 injuries.
Badina missed a dunk after 2 minutes, but the visitors took control (4-6, 2nd). Some blunders on both sides blocked the score, however Ateba already scored his second prize. The defenses worked hard, pushing for winning shots, with relative success (17-18, 8th).
The Vendéen Prugnières maintained the Challandais boat, while the Union found its marks in the racket, the forces were balanced (22-22, 10th). There followed a drop in collective power, which opened up some spaces, which was not completely exploited (30-29, 16th).
The South-West team forced itself on long shots, for a performance that was not up to par, and despite easy missed baskets, Challans was still in the sights (32-29, 16th). A sequence of well-executed actions, combined with a return address, and Tarbes/Lourdes inflicted an 8-0 (32-37, 18th).
Quickly filled by the VCB, a gap still remained, in favor of a visiting team which did not flinch despite only 5 different scorers at the break (39-42, 20th).
Queta and Chambre scored their first points, to bring the gap to +8 (41-49, 22nd), Challans came back slowly, before Joseph all powerfully went with his basket under the circle. Entering a period of approximations, the 2 teams stood (49-53, 26th), the address once again lacking.
The whistles from the refereeing body were not to the taste of the Vendée public, and it was the Union which was confident, with a 3rd prize in this quarter of the Chamber (53-59, 28th).
Present at the rebounds, attentive, the Occitans laid down their game, and found the ideal spots, the lead was maintained (54-62, 29th). But Challans forced the lock, Joseph was a little too demonstrative, and the score tightened again before the last act (61-65, 30th).
Supported by his audience, and the American Haynes, everything had to be done again 1 minute later on the visitor’s side (65-65, 31st). Venckus found his address and planted 2 banderillas in a row (71-75, 34th), while Challande Haynes forced his shot. Venckus again, the Union always faced with this pushed Challans to its limits.
The visitors now showed a certain mastery, while Challans stammered with his basketball, and the minutes ticked by (75-84, 37th). Challans took a few risks, and Bichard attempted a prize… Successful at the end of the counter-attack, only 3 points ahead! (81-84, 38th).
Under pressure, the Union lost the ball, Challans equalized (84-84), but present on the rebounds Tarbes/Lourdes gave themselves second chances, without converting…
Leading by 1 point with 9.8 seconds left, Union lost the ball but Bichard’s buzzer-winning attempt hit the rim. It happened!
CHALLANS Vendée 84- TARBES/LOURDES 85
(22-22, 17-20, 22-23, 23-20).
Referees: MM. Venance and Lighter.
CHALLANS : Haynes 16, Bengaber 7, Pasquier 5, Prugnières 16, Nikolic 12, Podolsky 6, Balu Quasi, Bichard 12, Berchel 10.
TARBES/LOURDES: Pharose 14, Chambre 10, Badiane 13, Wiscart Goetz, Ateba 12, Queta 2, Le Roux, Joseph 14, Venckus 20.
