Domestic round-up: Chalon and Nanterre win in France before Tuesday's big European clash
MUNICH (FIBA Europe Cup) - The Jean-Denys Choulet-coached Elan Chalon will have one less worry on their mind before Tuesday's big European clash in the FIBA Europe Cup after clinching Play-Off berth.
MUNICH (FIBA Europe Cup) - The Jean-Denys Choulet-coached Elan Chalon will have one less worry on their mind before Tuesday's big European clash in the FIBA Europe Cup after clinching anearly post-season berth in the French LNB Pro A with a win over the weekend.
Nanterre 92, who were also victorious, still need a couple of wins to secure their place in the Play-Offs, but needn't worry too much with seven rounds remaining in the Regular Season.
ELAN CHALON 83-76 LE PORTEL
The second-placed Chalon-sur-Saône club took care of business against ESSM Le Portel, picking up an 83-76 home victory at Le Colisée and joined run-away league leaders AS Monaco as only the second team with a guaranteed place in the Play-Offs.
Although the visitors kept the game competitive, Elan Chalon had their noses in front at a safe distance throughout the contest thanks to excellent play of Moustapha Fall, John Roberson and Jeremy Nzeulie.
VICTOIRE
— Elan Chalon (@ELANCHALON) April 15, 2017
ELAN 83-76 LE PORTEL
⚠️⚠️⚠️
CHASSE AUX PLACES DEMAIN, 2 PLACES CACHES DANS CHALON
INDICE A 16h, 17h et 18h 🐰🥚🐰#RougeEtBlanc pic.twitter.com/jVTIK9eZ70
The team's five-man, Fall, was particularly impressive, finishing just shy of a triple-double with 15 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 blocks for an impressive all-around display, crowned by an overall efficiency ranking of 37.
Roberson made it happen offensively with a game-high 25 points and 5 assists, while Nzeulie was a solid contributor on both ends with 21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals to his name.
🏀🔥 @moustaphafall15 a encore frappé ! 5 dunks, et la victoire de l'@ELANCHALON face à l'@EssmPortel, 83 à 76 #ProA
— France 3 Bourgogne (@F3Bourgogne) April 16, 2017
▶ https://t.co/NX3tbushct pic.twitter.com/J2fBl7eKFe
Cameron Clark had a relatively quiet night for his high standards, but was nonetheless a factor, scoring 11 points, notching down 5 boards and dishing out 3 assists.
The win kept Elan Chalon, now 21-7, within four games of the first-placed AS Monaco, who defeated the D.J. Cooper-led Pau-Lacq-Orthez 85-73 on the road after a strong second half performance.
ORLEANS 86-92 NANTERRE
After being handed an unexpectedly large defeat in the mid-week round of action in Pro A, Nanterre got back to winning ways against Orleans Loiret Basket with a 92-86 victory at the Palais des Sports Maurice Thorez.
⏲️FIN DE MATCH@OLB45 s'incline sur son parquet face @Nanterre92 92 à 86 #OLBN92 #GoOrléans pic.twitter.com/5bq1Q59tDD
— OrléansLoiretBasket (@OLB45) April 15, 2017
In spite of starting the game on the wrong side of an 11-0 run and trailing by a basket or two for the better part of the first three quarters, Pascal Donnadieu's team got things under control in the final frame.
Down 69-66 with a couple of minutes played in the fourth period, Nanterre went on a four-minute 13-0 spurt that put them ahead by double figures and ensured smooth sailing right to the final buzzer.
Chris Warren set the trend with 26 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists, Mathias Lessort double-doubled with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Heiko Schaffartzik and Mykal Riley collected 13 and 12 points respectively.
Coach Donnadieu's side are locked with Pau-Lacq-Orthez for fourth place in the standings with identical 19-9 records.
FIBA