By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With full momentum as its guide after winning the French Cup, Monaco (15-6) took a crucial victory over Le Mans (16-7) after two overtimes (!) to climb at the top of the standings, where it is currently tied with Strasbourg (15 – 6) .
It was one seriously fascinating game which definitely tired the two teams, yet it provided lots of intense moments for the fans. The Monegasques were the ones to enter the second overtime period stronger, gaining a 5 point lead yet Mouphtaou Yarou quickly tied it for Le Mans. In the last 115 seconds, Yakuba Ouattara of Monaco, scored the 5 points that gave his team the win, first by throwing the dagger from downtown and then with a key 2/2 from the line with seconds to go.
Strasbourg didn’t have to experience a thriller in order to remain high in the standings as well. Vincent Collet’s players were always in control of the game and didn’t lose their cool in front of the efforts that Cholet (8-13) did for a comeback.
At the same time, Gravelines fell (14-7) to the second place after becoming a victim of what you might call a surprise, in the hands of Orleans (9-12). Entente Orléanaise were 15 points behind in the second period, and 10 entering into the fourth quarter but never stopped fighting, ultimately taking what they wanted.
Meanwhile Chalon (14-7) was more accurate at its field goals attempts than the free throws (55% – 50%) to win in Beaublanc versus Limoges (10-11).
Pro A 2015/2016 – Day 21:
Rouen – Villeurbanne (Charles Kahudi 25 p. 7 a. 6 r.): 65 – 99
Paris Levallois – Chalons – Reims (Drew Gordon 19 p. 9 r.): 99 – 101
Le Mans – Monaco (Jamal Shuler 25 p. 4 r.): 96 – 99
Limoges – Chalon/Saone (Jeremy Hazell 23 p).: 88 – 94
Cholet – Strasbourg (Rodrigue Beaubois 19 p.): 85 – 93
Pau Orthez (Lance Harris 20 p.) – Nanterre: 86 – 78
Orleans (Kris Joseph 20 p.) – Gravelines- Dunkerque: 85 – 80
Dijon (David Holston 18 p. 8 a. 5 r.) – Antibes: 67 – 46
Nancy (Steed Tchicamboud 19 p. 6 a.) – Le Havre: 98 – 68