Cholet dismisses JL Bourg in Betclic Elite
Cholet is off to a good start. Eliminated from the Leaders Cup from the quarter-finals two weeks ago, the Mauges team won the poster for the resumption of the Championship on Saturday during the 22nd day of Betclic Elite. Kim Tillie’s teammates won against JL Bourg (99-88), finalists of this same Leaders Cup, confirming their success (87-68) in the first leg and smiling again at La Meilleraie after a defeat against at Le Mans.
With five players between 13 and 18 points, the Choletais dominated the game from start to finish, while Bourg evolved in fits and starts. Laurent Vila’s players dug a decisive gap in the fourth quarter (92-76, 36th) against Bressans who had already conceded 50 points at the break (50-36).
The JL, deprived of interior Isiaha Mike, is now two lengths behind the top 4 and remains, like Le Mans beaten at Fos-sur-Mer on Friday (71-68), under pressure from Roanne, winner at Le Portel Saturday (95-84) and Limoges which ended six losses in a row, all competitions in a row, against Nancy (82-76), pending the result of Asvel which receives Strasbourg Sunday (19 hours).
The CSP was carried by the leader Bryce Jones (23 points), author of the first thirteen points of his team in the fourth quarter to distance the promoted Nancy, who conceded a seventh defeat in a row outside. Center Kenny Kadji added 15 points and 16 rebounds for Limoges.
Roanne and Paris spoil the carnival
With an imperial trio Yannis Morin (20 points, 15 rebounds), Ronald March (21 points) and Stefan Moody (12 points, 11 assists), Roanne was not worried at Portel for the club’s first success at the Cauldron despite the carnival atmosphere.
The carnival effect did not smile on Gravelines-Dunkerque either, defeated on Saturday for the second time this season at Sportica. After Blois at the start of the season, it was Paris who showered the Northerners and led from start to finish (76-86).
The BCM closed in the fourth quarter but two three-point shots from Gauthier Denis, who broke his record in the top flight (19 units, 5 out of 8 from long range), ensured the first success of Paris Basketball since mid-January, after four losses in a row. Tyrone Wallace added 13 points and 11 assists and Aamir Simms added 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Finally, Dijon played its hand against the promoted Blois (91-77) who is joined in the hold by Fos-sur-Mer, winner of Le Mans on Friday (71-68).
The Burgundians made the gap at the end of the first half thanks to their interceptions (14 in total) and a great Gregor Hrovat (18 points, 5 interceptions, 5 assists) before managing the gap after the break. Like Cholet, the JDA puts pressure on Boulogne-Levallois (2nd), who travels to Pau on Tuesday March 7 while the leader Monaco receives Nanterre on Sunday (5 p.m.).
