The club pulled out all the stops this Saturday evening, for the 25th anniversary. The only thing he didn’t anticipate was defeat. Also frustrating.
The MBC leaders had planned everything to celebrate the club’s 25th anniversary in the best possible way, in front of the president of the French basketball federation Jean-Pierre Siutat. What they didn’t control this Saturday evening was the pitch. If team two narrowly escaped, but achieved a major success, all that remained was for the first team to do the same, in a match that was once again very important for the rest of the competition. Unfortunately, the Montalbanais will lose at the end of the night, after the end of the match, and an overtime during which Kévin Caubel’s teammates will completely miss out, leaving the Lot-et-Garonnais to go achieve a victory that they themselves surely did not envisage, as they never managed to take the lead, even if the score never exceeded ten points ahead for the Tarn-et-Garonnais. In front from the start, Layrac Astaffort will lead 8-6 (4th), before seeing the Montalbanais pass in front to never let go of the score again. But the visitors will still pose a threat, even if the free throws don’t go in.
The Lot-et-Garonnais equalize at the buzzer
Plus 6 at the end of the first quarter, plus 3 at the break, then plus 6 again at the start of the last period, the MBC will never really manage to make the break. No matter, a small point of margin for the mermaid will be enough to make them happy. They managed this lead rather well, and even had a seven-point lead with only three minutes left to play. This is where the machine will jam, the arms will tense up, and the baskets will no longer fit. In these conditions, the visitors are not asking for that much and are clawing back to only be two points behind with 11 seconds remaining. A fantastic rebound from Thibault Crapez plus the mistake, everyone thinks the match is over. Nope. Both shots missed, and Layrac Astaffort had the match point for a three-point shot that went in. The Tarn-et-Garonnais thought they had won but a toe touched the line. 77-77, heading to overtime. An extension that will smile on the visitors, in a state of grace. Everything fits, while the Montalbanais crack under the pressure by conceding 17 points in five minutes. Too much, much too much to reverse a situation that was already well underway. The Montalbanais thought they would end the evening by partying. It’s a failure.
And now. New reception for the MBC next Saturday, against third Saint-Médard-en-Jalles.
MONTAUBAN 87 LAYRAC ASTAFFORT 94 (AP)
MT : 44-41.
1er QUART-TEMPS : 19-13, 2e QT: 25-28 ; 3e QT : 22-19 , 4e QT : 11-17 . Prolongation : 10-17.
For the MBC: J. Hobbe (14 points, 2 fouls), A. Zaida (11 pts, 3 fouls), Th. Mobisa (11 pts, 1 foul), K. Caubel (cap, 3 pts, 1 foul), Th. Crapez ( 9 pts, 1 fault), G. Caubel (3 pts), R. Dabadie (2 pts, 3 faults), M. Gaji (13 pts, 4 faults), B. Gomis (13 pts, 5 faults), A. L’Etang (8 pts, 4 faults). Coaches: Boris Lacaze, assisted by Cédric Fau.
For Layrac Astaffort: L. Fabo (16 points, 4 faults), J. Fadli (cap, 10 pts, 2 faults), V. Tastet (1 pt), G. Youssouf-Huard (17 pts, 1 fault), V. Boue (7 pts, 1 fault), M. Tascon (3 pts), P. Gomes (3 faults), N. Perrion (2 pts, 2 faults), R. Khelifi (13 pts, 5 faults), V. Lavaure (4 pts, 2 faults), K. Razafindraibe (21 points, 2 faults). Coaches: F. Albisua, assistant to X. Buridon.
