By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Le Mans nearly mishandled a double-digit lead in the final minutes of a back-and-forth contest but held on to beat AS Monaco, 102-99, in Salle Gaston Medecin on Sunday.
After overpowering La Roca Team in the Final of France’s Leaders Cup in February, the latest key win advanced MSB to the Final of Coupe de France for the first time since 2019.
Former Central Michigan standout David DiLeo connected 7/8 three-pointers for the team coached by Guillaume Vizade in the Semifinals, en route to a team-high 23 points. Headlining a team total of 16/26 three-pointers, the percentage settled at a staggering 61%.
The visitors entered crunch time with an 11-point advantage. From eight straight points by Monaco reducing to three points, with 26 seconds on the clock, the focus on ensuing free throws retained a narrow lead. TaShawn Thomas ended up with 14 points. Leopold Delaunay and Trevor Hudgins paired 13 points apiece with seven and five assists, respectively.
Mouhammadou Jaiteh setting his personal best for the 2024-25 campaign at 24 points was not enough for the team coached by Vassilis Spanoulis. Vitto Brown, Nick Calathes, Jordan Loyd, and Daniel Theis did not suit up.
Set to meet Paris in Accor Arena on April 26, Le Mans seeks a fifth Cup triumph. The team based in the French capital progressed to the championship game on Saturday.
Monaco’s last Final in 2023 marked the team’s first Cup of the French Federation of Basketball, FFBB.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net