FRA – Cholet get title defense off to perfect start

CHOLET (PRO A) – Reigning champions Cholet got their 2010-2011 campaign off to a perfect start by dispatching Pau-Lacq-Orthez 89-51 at home.
 
The visitors were missing four key inside players (Mike Bauer, Travon Bryant, Georgi Joseph and Marko Maravic) and were behind 23-9 at the end of the opening period.
 
The hosts showed no mercy for their short-handed opponents as they took a commanding 46-22 lead at the bread and were unthreatened the rest of the way.
 
Sammy Mejia had a game-high 18 points in the win with Fabien Causeur adding 16 and Antywane Robinson coming one rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine boards.
 
Paris Levallois caused a surprise as they came from behind to handily beat ASVEL 85-68. The team from Villeurbanne had a seven-point lead in the first quarter, but they lost their shooting touch and were stifled by their opponents’ defense.
 
Paris took a double-digit lead in the second quarter which they stretched to 23 in the third period and never looked back.
 
France international point guard Andrew Albicy had game-highs of 21 points and eight assists.
 
Meanwhile, Strasbourg edged out Roanne 73-69 thanks to some key defensive stops down the stretch. Alain Digbeu and Ricardo Greer each got a steal in the final minute as they kept their stubborn opponents at bay.
 
Greer displayed his versatility by finishing with 17 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists.
 
Ivory Coast star Pape Philippe Amagou had a game-high 20 points in the losing cause.
 
Elsewhere, Nancy used a strong third quarter to blow the game wide open against visiting Gravelines-Dunkerque and held on for a 78-70 win.
 
The home side led by as many as 18 in the third period in part thanks to their solid defense which forced the visitors into a five of 31 shooting effort from beyond the arc.
 
Up 61-49 to start the final frame, Nancy saw their lead fall to under 10, but made timely baskets to stop their opponents’ momentum.
 
Ralph Mims led all scorers with 21 points and Tremmell Darden had a monster game with 17 points and 18 rebounds.
 
FIBA