By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
After a stunning first-quarter performance, the last-placed LNB Pro A League team, Le Portel, defeated Monaco 89-81.
Emmanuel Nzekwesi led the winning side with 27 points and seven rebounds, while Algerian Nadir Hifi added 26 points. Terry Alen was one rebound short of a double-double with 10 points.
Mike James was the leading scorer of Monako with 20 points, while Elie Okobo added 12. Jaron Blossomgame and Donatas Motiejunas had 11 points each.
The host opened the game with a 22-0 run. Monaco finally woke up and scored some points but ended trailing 20 points after the first 10 minutes (33-13)
After a disastrous first period, Sasa Obradović’s team responded right at the end of the second one and got an eight-point deficit with a 7-0 run in the dying moments (49-41)
Monaco kept pushing and turned the score around midway through the third quarter, but Le Portel answered with a 9-0 run and got back the lead (69-63). They got back to a double-digit surplus in the final period, Monaco tried with one last push, but the hosts defended themselves and grabbed a shocking win.
Earlier ASVEL got the road win over Strasbourg while Victor Wembanyama put on a show on Saturday night.
Betclic Elite ProA – Round 13
Fos-sur-Mer – Nancy 89-53
Paris – Metropolitanas 92 71-91
Pau-Orthez – Le Mans 89-85
JL Bourg – Gravelines-Dunkerque 90-81
Cholet – Dijon 107-79
Ada Blois – Nanterre 71-73
Strasbourg – LDLC ASVEL 67-83
Le Portel – Monaco 89-81
Standings: 1. Monaco 11-3, 2. Metropolitans 92 10-3, 3. Cholet 10-3, 4. Dijon 9-4, 5. JL Bourg 9-4, 6. Limoges 7-5, 7. LDLC ASVEL 8-6, 8. Le Mans 6-7…