The round was exceptionally exciting as three games ended with a tiny margin. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most important game in the last round took place in Charleville between second ranked SO Maritime Boulogne (9-5) and seventh ranked Charleville-Mezieres (7-7) on Friday night. SO Maritime Boulogne was defeated by Charleville-Mezieres in a tough game on the road 84-93. Charleville looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. 27 personal fouls committed by Boulogne helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Point guard Rosaire Malonga (188-1995) had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 5 rebounds, 14 assists and 4 steals to lead the charge for the winners and Johan Clet (190-1996) chipped in 19 points during the contest. American guard Mika Adams-Woods (190-2000, college: St.Bonaventure) responded with 26 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Charleville-Mezieres have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted Charleville maintains seventh position with 7-7 record, which they share with Rennes. Boulogne at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. They share the position with 6 other teams. Charleville is looking forward to face Saint Vallier (#10) on the road in the next round. Boulogne will play against Mulhouse (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Quimper. First ranked host Quimper UJAP (13-1) defeated second-ranked Lourdes-Tarbes (9-5) 74-64. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Lourdes-Tarbes. American swingman Jamar Abrams (201-1989, college: ECU, agency: Inception Sports) notched 18 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and Antoine Wallez supported him with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Quimper UJAP’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 15 points and 5 rebounds by Cameroonian guard Fabien Ateba (192-1991) did not help to save the game for Tarbes-Lourdes. Quimper UJAP have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 13-1 record. Tarbes-Lourdes at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. They share the position with 6 other teams. Quimper will play against Levallois (#4) on the road in the next round. Tarbes-Lourdes will play against Pole France and hopes to get back on the winning track.
NM1 top team – STB Le Havre (11-2) added another victory to their record on Saturday. This time they beat eleventh ranked Besancon (5-9) 84-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Besancon. The best player for the winners was Joel Awich who scored 15 points and 9 rebounds. Ibrahim Saounera produced 17 points and 6 assists for the hosts. Le Havre maintains first position with 11-2 record. Loser Besancon dropped to the twelfth place with nine games lost. Le Havre will meet at home Metz (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Besancon will play against Avignon/Pontet and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
There were no shocking results in the other games in round 14: Poissy lost to Tours on the opponent’s court 75-81. Pole France was outscored by Levallois in a home game 53-74. Rennes managed to beat Vitre on the road 67-63. Fougeres defeated Angers on its own court 89-83. Challans beat Toulouse in a road game 77-71. Les Sables lost to Lorient at home 69-72. SCABB managed to outperform Loon-Plage on the opponent’s court 77-64. Mulhouse recorded a loss to Saint Vallier in a home game 104-107. Avignon/Pontet was defeated by Lyon on the road 75-65. Berck was smashed by Feurs on its own court 64-91. Orchies destroyed Metz in a road game 91-72.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 29 points and 4 steals by Yanik Blanc of Orchies.
Group A
Tours – Poissy 81-75
Very expected game when 13th ranked Poissy (3-11) was defeated on the road by sixth ranked Tours (8-6) 81-75 on Friday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. The best player for the winners was power forward Fabien Paschal (205-1991) who had a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Swingman Pierre-Etienne Drouault (196-1990) chipped in 17 points. Naturalized Angolan forward Melvyn Da Silva (198-1999) produced 21 points and 9 rebounds and swingman Olivier Yao-Delon (194-1995) added 17 points respectively for the guests. Tours moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Poissy lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Avignon/Pontet. Tours will meet at home higher ranked Lorient (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Poissy will play against Toulouse (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Poissy: M.Da Silva 21+9reb+1ast, O.Yao-Delon 17+4reb+3ast, S.Michineau 10+1reb+1ast, K.Cham 10+1reb+3ast, V.Joaquim 8+10reb, K.Closson 7+4reb+4ast
Tours: P.Drouault 17+2reb+1ast, B.Andre 13+1reb+1ast, F.Paschal 12+10reb+3ast, C.Turner 9+1reb+4ast, T.Leon 8+2reb+2ast, H.Bequignon 8+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1194399
Pole France – Levallois 53-74
Very predictable result in Paris where fourth ranked Metropolitans (9-5) smashed 14th ranked Pole France (2-12) 74-53 on Friday. Levallois forced 24 Pole France turnovers. The best player for the winners was forward Solly Stansbury (201-1995, college: Richmond) who scored 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Power forward Christian Nelson (200-2000) chipped in 9 points and 8 rebounds. Noa Kouakou-Heugue (206-2007) produced 11 points and forward Meissa Faye (198-2007) added 7 points respectively for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Levallois moved-up to second place, which they share with 6 other teams. Pole France lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 12 games lost. Levallois will meet at home league’s leader Quimper in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Pole France will play against the league’s second-placed Tarbes-Lourdes (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Pole France: N.Kouakou-Heugue 11+4reb, N.Soliman 7+2reb+1ast, M.Faye 7+3reb+2ast, Y.Allard 6+5ast, C.Houindo 5+2reb, H.Moukouri 4+5reb
Levallois: G.Lobela-Nkuna 13+4reb, S.Stansbury 12+6reb+5ast, B.Tackamoud 12+3reb+1ast, C.Nelson 9+8reb+2ast, K.Thalien 9+1reb+8ast, M.Diarra 6+10reb
gschID: 1194400
Quimper – Tarbes-Lourdes 74-64
The game between Top Four teams took place in Quimper. First ranked host Quimper UJAP (13-1) defeated second-ranked Lourdes-Tarbes (9-5) 74-64. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Lourdes-Tarbes. Quimper players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. American swingman Jamar Abrams (201-1989, college: ECU, agency: Inception Sports) notched 18 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and Antoine Wallez (205-1996) supported him with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Quimper UJAP’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 15 points and 5 rebounds by Cameroonian guard Fabien Ateba (192-1991) did not help to save the game for Tarbes-Lourdes. Point guard Marius Chambre (182-1998) added 10 points and 6 assists for the guests. Quimper UJAP have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 13-1 record. Tarbes-Lourdes at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. They share the position with 6 other teams. Quimper will play against Levallois (#4) on the road in the next round. Tarbes-Lourdes will play against Pole France and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tarbes-Lourdes: F.Ateba 15+5reb+1ast, M.Chambre 10+3reb+6ast, T.Badiane 8+2reb+1ast, T.Wiscart Goetz 6+2reb+5ast, J.Le Roux 6+4reb, M.Joseph 6+4reb+3ast
Quimper: J.Abrams 18+4reb+4ast, A.Wallez 12+6reb+3ast, N.Labouize 12+4reb+2ast, L.Thevenard 8+5reb+2ast, N.Burrell 7+4ast, M.Milovanovic 6+7reb+2ast
gschID: 1194401
Vitre – Rennes 63-67
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Union Rennes and 10th ranked Vitre had identical 6-7 record. But Vitre was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Rennes 67-63 on Friday night. Rennes looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was Guinean forward Cheick Sekou-Conde (203-1992) who scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Forward Joffrey Sclear (200-1995) chipped in 11 points and 5 rebounds. Point guard Armand Mensah (179-1999) produced 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Sahel Mouhri (197-2004) added 15 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Rennes (7-7) moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Charleville. Vitre lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with eight games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Rennes will meet Angers (#12) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Vitre will play against Les Sables (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Vitre: S.Mouhri 15+1reb+2ast, A.Mensah 11+5reb+4ast, A.Dossou 10+4reb, S.Hernandez 9+7reb, N.Calabre 4+3ast, Y.Mendy 4+4reb
Rennes: C.Sekou-Conde 16+5reb+3ast, J.Sclear 11+5reb+3ast, E.Thillier 9+6reb+3ast, L.Fontaine 9+3reb+6ast, M.Haidara 5+6reb, P.Billong 5+3reb+4ast
gschID: 1194402
Fougeres – Angers 89-83
Everything went according to plan when seventh ranked Fougeres (8-6) beat at home 12th ranked Etoile Angers (4-10) 89-83 on Friday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Fougeres looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was Mali center Cheick Soumaoro (205-1990) who scored 18 points and 6 rebounds. Point guard Maxime Choplin (180-1992) chipped in 15 points and 4 assists. Spanish center Victor Serrano (210-1989) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds and Lucas Veraghe (197-2001) added 18 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Fougeres moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Angers lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with ten games lost. They share it with Berck. Fougeres will meet Challans (#6) on the road in the next round. Angers will play against Rennes (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Angers: V.Serrano 18+12reb, L.Veraghe 18+7reb+3ast, J.Ross 13+4reb+6ast, Y.Harrath 10+3reb, Q.Ruel 9+6reb+1ast, B.Mondesir 8
Fougeres: C.Soumaoro 18+6reb+1ast, M.Choplin 15+2reb+4ast, M.Diop 15+4reb+1ast, E.Koumba 9+6reb+3ast, M.Lebrun 9+2reb, K.Bichard 7+5reb+4ast
gschID: 1194403
Toulouse – Challans 71-77
There was no surprise when 11th ranked Toulouse (6-8) was defeated at home by sixth ranked Vendee Challans (8-6) 77-71 on Friday. Challans forced 19 Toulouse turnovers and outrebounded them 37-26 including 24 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was forward Clement Morel (195-2000) who scored 15 points and 7 rebounds. American guard Randy Haynes (193-1995, college: ODU, agency: SLN) chipped in 12 points and 4 assists. Vendee Challans’ coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Guard Alexandre Aygalenq (187-1997) produced 22 points and Jamaican-American forward Willesley Butler (203-1996, college: UAB) added 13 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Vendee Challans have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Toulouse dropped to the eighth position with eight games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Challans will meet at home Fougeres (#7) in the next round. Toulouse will play against Poissy and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toulouse: A.Aygalenq 22+4reb+3ast, W.Butler 13+8reb+1ast, T.Gottin 12+4reb+1ast, D.Gana 7+2reb+1ast, D.Ona Embo 6+5ast, C.Jean 5+3reb+5ast
Challans: C.Morel 15+7reb, R.Haynes 12+4reb+4ast, M.Diop 12+1reb+1ast, G.Berchel 8+7reb+2ast, L.Nikolic 8+8reb+2ast, G.Bengaber 6+1reb+4ast
gschID: 1194404
Les Sables – Lorient 69-72
No shocking result in a game in Les Sables-D’Ollone where third ranked Lorient (9-5) edged 9th ranked Les Sables (6-8) 72-69 on Friday. Lorient forced 23 Les Sables turnovers. The best player for the winners was Kevin Mondesir (204-1991) who scored 25 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Guard Valentin Vitale-Boiteux (187-2001) chipped in 13 points and 6 assists. Christopher Manerlax (204-2002) produced 8 points and 9 rebounds and forward Thomas Klein (201-2002) added 10 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Les Sables’ coach Francois Sence rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Lorient have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with 6 other teams. Loser Les Sables dropped to the eighth position with eight games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Lorient will meet Tours (#5) on the road in the next round. Les Sables will play against Vitre and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Les Sables: L.Prolhac 14+1reb+2ast, B.Maughmer 11+2reb+4ast, T.Klein 10+5reb+3ast, C.Manerlax 8+9reb+2ast, L.Martel 7+3reb, J.Bado 7+1reb
Lorient: K.Mondesir 25+1reb, K.Franceschi 14+5reb+1ast, V.Vitale-Boiteux 13+2reb+6ast, M.Robin 7+9reb+2ast, A.Sclear 5+6reb+1ast, M.Henry 5+1reb+3ast
gschID: 1194405
Group B
Loon-Plage – SCABB 64-77
Rather expected game when 8th ranked Loon-Plage (6-8) was defeated at home by fifth ranked Andrezieux (9-5) 77-64 on Friday. The best player for the winners was forward Ludovic Dufeal (203, college: Gardner-Webb) who had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. Mali forward Mohamed Sidibe (196-2002) chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds. Five Andrezieux players scored in double figures. American guard Jordan Robertson (190-1996, college: Colgate) produced 17 points and Hugo Boumpoutou (200-2004) added 10 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. SCABB moved-up to second place, which they share with 6 other teams. Loser Loon-Plage keeps the eighth position with eight games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. SCABB will meet at home Berck (#13) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Loon-Plage will play against Orchies (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Loon-Plage: J.Robertson 17+2reb+2ast, W.Hairabetian 10+1reb+2ast, H.Boumpoutou 10+5reb+2ast, Y.Nkombou 9+5reb+1ast, S.Saumont 6+6reb+3ast, P.Duwiquet 6+3reb+1ast
SCABB: M.Sidibe 16+9reb+2ast, L.Dufeal 14+12reb+2ast, A.Alain 11+6ast, M.Montout 11+3reb+5ast, T.Bouteille 10+2reb+3ast, H.Cucherat 6+1reb
gschID: 1194581
Mulhouse – Saint Vallier 104-107
There was a surprise result when twelfth ranked Saint Vallier (6-8) edged on the road higher ranked Mulhouse (8-6) 107-104 on Saturday. Saint Vallier dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Mulhouse‘s 30 and made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Saint Vallier looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The best player for the winners was Bahamas forward Jaraun Burrows (203-1985, college: PFW) who had a double-double by scoring 16 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Simeon Kalemba (199-2003) chipped in 23 points and 6 rebounds. Point guard Kilian Incredule (175-1996) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 assists and 5 steals and naturalized Congolese center Valentin Mukuna (207-1993) added 19 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Four Saint Vallier and five Mulhouse players scored in double figures. Mulhouse’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Saint Vallier moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 5 other teams. Mulhouse lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with six games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Saint Vallier will meet at home higher ranked Charleville (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Mulhouse will play against the league’s second-placed Boulogne and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Mulhouse: V.Mukuna 19+6reb, K.Incredule 19+4reb+10ast, F.Milanese 16+2reb+5ast, T.Faulkner 12+2reb+3ast, W.Gneze 11+2reb+1ast, P.Samoura 11+6reb+2ast
Saint Vallier: S.Kalemba 23+6reb+1ast, J.Boucaud 18+2reb+1ast, J.Burrows 16+12reb+5ast, J.Ferguson 13+2reb+3ast, N.Pineau 13+3reb+2ast, J.Degre 10+3reb+6ast
gschID: 1194582
Charleville – Boulogne 93-84
The most important game in the last round took place in Charleville between second ranked SO Maritime Boulogne (9-5) and seventh ranked Charleville-Mezieres (7-7) on Friday night. SO Maritime Boulogne was defeated by Charleville-Mezieres in a tough game on the road 84-93. Charleville looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. 27 personal fouls committed by Boulogne helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Point guard Rosaire Malonga (188-1995) had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 5 rebounds, 14 assists and 4 steals to lead the charge for the winners and Johan Clet (190-1996) chipped in 19 points during the contest. Five Charleville-Mezieres players scored in double figures. American guard Mika Adams-Woods (190-2000, college: St.Bonaventure) responded with 26 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) and swingman Nolan Kingue (195-2003) scored 21 points and 4 steals. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Charleville-Mezieres have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted Charleville maintains seventh position with 7-7 record, which they share with Rennes. Boulogne at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. They share the position with 6 other teams. Charleville is looking forward to face Saint Vallier (#10) on the road in the next round. Boulogne will play against Mulhouse (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Boulogne: M.Adams-Woods 26+6reb+3ast, N.Kingue 21+4reb+1ast, V.Diallo 14+6reb+2ast, V.Maury 7+1reb+7ast, J.Seymour 5+2reb, M.Nnah-Ndong 4+2reb+3ast
Charleville: J.Clet 19+3reb+2ast, J.Mkamba 17+4reb, P.Kieger 16+1reb, R.Malonga 15+5reb+14ast, A.Auburtin 14+3reb, N.Kovanusic 10+6reb+3ast
gschID: 1194583
Besancon – Le Havre 76-84
NM1 top team – STB Le Havre (11-2) added another victory to their record on Saturday. This time they beat eleventh ranked Besancon (5-9) 84-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Besancon. Le Havre made 24-of-30 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Kenyan-American forward Joel Awich (201-1993, college: Cal Poly) who scored 15 points and 9 rebounds. American forward Keith Wright (203-1989, college: Harvard) chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Five STB Le Havre players scored in double figures. Naturalized Mali point guard Ibrahim Saounera (179-1987) produced 17 points and 6 assists and Luxembourg forward Ben Kovac (196-2000) added 17 points and 5 assists respectively for the hosts. Le Havre maintains first position with 11-2 record. Loser Besancon dropped to the twelfth place with nine games lost. Le Havre will meet at home Metz (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Besancon will play against Avignon/Pontet and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Besancon: I.Saounera 17+3reb+6ast, B.Kovac 17+3reb+5ast, A.Djedje 11+6reb+2ast, I.Pouye 9+1reb+1ast, A.Falzon 7+7reb+3ast, C.Jubenot 7+3reb
Le Havre: L.Sambe 15+4reb+1ast, J.Awich 15+9reb+2ast, S.Cayol 13+2reb+2ast, M.Ndoye 12+3reb+1ast, K.Wright 12+6reb+4ast, T.Desseignet 6+5reb+2ast
gschID: 1194584
Lyon – Avignon/Pontet 75-65
Not a big story in a game when 14th ranked Avignon/Pontet (3-11) was defeated on the road by sixth ranked Lyon (9-5) 75-65 on Friday. Lyon dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Avignon/Pontet‘s 24. Lyon forced 19 Avignon/Pontet turnovers and outrebounded them 39-25 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Lyon looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Darhius Nunn (175-1998, college: PBA) who scored 12 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Maxime Semelet (199-2002) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Four Lyon players scored in double figures. Lyon’s coach Philippe Herve used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Guard Austin Rasolonjatovo (186-2001) produced 6 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists and guard Theo Rey (194-2000) added 17 points respectively for the guests. Lyon moved-up to second place, which they share with 6 other teams. Loser Avignon/Pontet dropped to the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Poissy. Lyon will meet Feurs (#8) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Avignon/Pontet will play against Besancon (#12) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Avignon/Pontet: T.Rey 17+4reb, N.Cece 14+1reb, R.Kayembe 12+5reb+2ast, B.Cissoko 7+4reb, A.Rasolonjatovo 6+5reb+11ast, V.Ateba 5+1ast
Lyon: D.Nunn 12+5reb+9ast, M.Semelet 12+10reb+1ast, M.Vidalenche 11+3reb+3ast, A.Martinez 11+1reb+1ast, K.Comblon 9+1reb+1ast, A.Atamna 7+1reb+3ast
gschID: 1194585
Berck – Feurs 64-91
Everything went according to plan when tenth ranked Feurs (6-8) outscored on the road 13th ranked Berck (4-10) 91-64 on Friday. Feurs outrebounded Berck 35-22 including a 29-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Feurs looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was forward Anthony Spinali (194-1997) who scored 24 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Point guard Bryan Coudray (189-2000) chipped in 13 points and 4 assists. Cuban power forward Grismay Paumier (204-1988) produced 15 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Louis Weber (186-1998) added 10 points and 7 assists respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Feurs moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 5 other teams. Berck lost seventh consecutive game. They dropped to the twelfth position with ten games lost. They share it with Angers. Feurs will meet at home higher ranked Lyon (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Berck will play against SCABB (#3) in Andrezieux and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Berck: G.Paumier 15+6reb+1ast, M.Dadiet 11+4reb+5ast, A.Henocq 10+4ast, L.Weber 10+3reb+7ast, D.Okemba 9+2reb+2ast, S.Plaucoste 4
Feurs: A.Spinali 24+1reb+3ast, B.Coudray 13+3reb+4ast, M.Diarra 13+4reb+1ast, D.Buskey 10+5reb+4ast, C.Nkaloulou 8+5reb, M.Bouhmama 8+6reb+2ast
gschID: 1194586
Metz – Orchies 72-91
There was no surprise when 11th ranked Metz (5-8) was outplayed at home by fifth ranked Orchesien BC (9-5) 91-72 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was guard Yanik Blanc (188-1999) who scored 29 points and 4 steals (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). Power forward Thomas Hanquiez (203-2001) chipped in 22 points. Swingman Moustapha Toure (202-2002) produced 17 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and American forward Amir Smith (200-1997, college: Hampton) added 10 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Metz’s coach rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Orchies moved-up to second place, which they share with 6 other teams. Newly promoted Metz keeps the eleventh position with eight games lost. Orchies will meet at home Loon-Plage (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Metz will play against the league’s leader Le Havre and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Metz: M.Toure 17+5reb, R.Dardaine 11+5reb, A.Smith 10+8reb+2ast, P.Aworet 8+3reb+3ast, A.Karolak 6+5ast, K.Mbaitoubam 5+3reb+2ast
Orchies: Y.Blanc 29+1reb+3ast, T.Hanquiez 22+3reb, J.Burton 8+10reb+4ast, R.Lobreau-Bikindou 6+3reb, P.Mwamba 6+2reb+3ast, Y.Kabuaya-Diondo 5+2reb+4ast
gschID: 1194587
