By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nanterre 92 held on to beat AS Monaco, 87-83, Saturday.
Austin Peay product Chris Horton connecting 11/14 two-pointers drew up a season-high 23 points. Former NBA players Adam Mokoka and Nick Johnson chipped in 19 points and 15-point, 11-assist double-double, respectively.
La Roca Team was coming off four wins in a row across all competitions, including the away win over FC Bayern Munich a couple of days ago in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 21. Betclic Elite LNB Pro A Regular Season Round 16 was not equally friendly. Ibrahima Fall Faye was the lone bright spot in offense producing 24 points and multiple dunks.
Donta Hall was out following his early exit in Germany. Leo Westermann still feeling soreness in his thigh was sidelined as well. In addition, Dwayne Bacon, Donatas Motiejunas, and Mike James did not suit up.
Launching a 12-2 run cut the deficit to six points but Nanterre retook a double-digit lead and narrowly held on en route to 7-6. The team coached by Sasa Obradovic fell to 10-5. Two EuroLeague games on the road coming up, French rival LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne Tuesday and Zenit Saint Petersburg Thursday.
LNB leader Boulogne Metropolitans 92 dropped to 12-3 after losing to top-flight division newcomer Paris, 83-78. Axel Toupane fired a team-high 16 points in his debut with the team based in the French capital. Kyle O’Quinn posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Elsewhere, Matt Mitchell and DeAndre Lansdowne combined for 41 points leading SIG Strasbourg to the convincing win, 97-66, against Limoges CSP. Lassi Tuovi’s side got to 9-5 forcing its opponent to 9-7.
Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez shifted to 10-6 thanks to the 94-85 victory versus Orleans. Justin Bibbins paved the way producing 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Jessie Begarin scored 22 points, including the game-winning three-pointer in overtime as Chalons-Reims took down JL Bourg, 98-97.
Saturday results:
SIG Strasbourg – Limoges CSP 97-66
JL Bourg – Chalons-Reims 97-98 OT (85-85)
Nanterre 92 – AS Monaco 87-83
Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez – Orleans 94-85
Paris – Boulogne Metropolitans 92 83-78
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League