Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Cholet Basket as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Cholet Basket defeated 16th ranked La Rochelle at home 83-77. Cholet looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Cleveland Melvin (203-1991, college: DePaul) who helped to win the game recording 17 points. Norwegian forward Chris-Ebou Ndow (199-1993, college: NW Missouri St.) contributed with 12 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Naturalized Spanish guard Tom Digbeu (195-2001) replied with 23 points for La Rochelle. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Monaco. La Rochelle lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team stay dead last with 19 lost games. La Rochelle will play next round against Bourg trying to get back on the winning streak. Cholet will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Le Mans on the road.
Leading Monaco (17-5) recorded its fifth loss at the home court. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (16-6) 94-86. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Monaco. The former international point guard Theo Maledon (192-2001) scored 27 points and 9 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Andre Roberson chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side the former international guard Elie Okobo (191-1997) responded with 16 points and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Paris. Defending champion Monaco still keeps top position with five games lost. They share it with Cholet. ASVEL will play against Chalon/Saone (#9) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Monaco will play against Le Portel (#15) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Dijon between JDA Dijon and Le Mans. Tenth ranked JDA Dijon (10-12) got a very close home victory over higher ranked Le Mans (12-10). JDA Dijon managed to escape with a 2-point win 76-74 on Saturday evening. Markis McDuffie notched 15 points to lead the effort. JDA Dijon’s coach Laurent Legname used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Even 15 points and 5 rebounds by Abdoulaye NDoye did not help to save the game for Le Mans. Dijon moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Chalon/Saone. Le Mans at the other side keeps the sixth position with ten games lost. Dijon will meet higher ranked Saint Quentin (#8) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Le Mans will play against the league’s leader Cholet having rather not much hope for a victory.
Other games in round 22 were not that significant. Le Portel was smashed by Chalon/Saone on the road 106-76. Gravelines lost to Nancy on its own court 84-87. Bourg outscored Limoges in a road game 87-63. Saint Quentin recorded a loss to Nanterre at home 67-76. Paris defeated Strasbourg on the opponent’s court 87-79.
The most impressive performance of 22th round was 19 points and 6 rebounds by Tyson Ward of Paris.
Chalon/Saone – Le Portel 106-76
No shocking result in a game when tenth ranked Chalon/Saor (10-12) crushed at home 15th ranked Le Portel (6-16) 106-76 on Saturday. Chalon/Saone shot 63.3 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 53.6 percentage. Chalon/Saone looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Le Portel‘s players. Cameroonian-American point guard Jeremiah Hill (188-1995, college: Valdosta St.) notched 30 points and 9 assists (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and Croatian Zeljko Sakic (204-1988) supported him with 15 points and 4 assists. Hill is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Even a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds by American power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) did not help to save the game for Le Portel. Forward Ivan Fevrier (202-1999) added 16 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Five Chalon/Saone and four Le Portel players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Chalon/Saone moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Dijon. Le Portel at the other side keeps the fifteenth position with 16 games lost. Chalon/Saone will meet higher ranked ASVEL (#4) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Le Portel will play against the league’s second-placed Monaco (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Le Portel: J.Nunge 21+10reb+1ast, I.Fevrier 16+5reb+2ast, E.Diawara 13+5reb+1ast, D.Gholston 13+2ast, L.Konate 5+3reb+1ast, M.Boyer 3+3reb
Chalon/Saone: J.Hill 30+3reb+9ast, Z.Sakic 15+4reb+4ast, D.Ristic 13+4reb+2ast, Z.Cuthbertson 11+6reb+4ast, B.Paul 11+2reb+1ast, L.Gaudoux 10+6reb+2ast
gschID: 1178959
Cholet – La Rochelle 83-77
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Cholet Basket as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Cholet Basket defeated 16th ranked La Rochelle at home 83-77. Cholet looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Cleveland Melvin (203-1991, college: DePaul) who helped to win the game recording 17 points. Norwegian forward Chris-Ebou Ndow (199-1993, college: NW Missouri St.) contributed with 12 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Naturalized Spanish guard Tom Digbeu (195-2001) replied with 23 points and point guard Matheo Leray (186-2003) added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists in the effort for La Rochelle. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Monaco. La Rochelle lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team stay dead last with 19 lost games. La Rochelle will play next round against Bourg trying to get back on the winning streak. Cholet will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Le Mans on the road.
Top scorers:
La Rochelle: T.Digbeu 23+2reb+1ast, M.Leray 12+5reb+8ast, J.Belo-Osagie 11+7reb, C.Moore 10+4reb, R.Hawkins 9+3reb, J.Saibou 7+4reb+3ast
Cholet: C.Melvin 17+4reb+2ast, C.Ndow 12+6reb, G.Ayayi 11+2reb+2ast, M.Diawara 11+5reb, A.Wheeler 10+3reb+3ast, N.De Sousa 9+4reb+3ast
gschID: 1178960
Dijon – Le Mans 76-74
A very close game took place in Dijon between JDA Dijon and Le Mans. Tenth ranked JDA Dijon (10-12) got a very close home victory over higher ranked Le Mans (12-10). JDA Dijon managed to escape with a 2-point win 76-74 on Saturday evening. American Markis McDuffie (203-1997, college: Wichita St.) notched 15 points to lead the effort and Slovenian Gregor Hrovat (196-1994) supported him with 14 points and 5 rebounds. Five JDA Dijon players scored in double figures. JDA Dijon’s coach Laurent Legname used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Even 15 points and 5 rebounds by guard Abdoulaye NDoye (198-1998) did not help to save the game for Le Mans. The former international power forward Wilfried Yeguete (202-1991, college: Florida) added 4 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals for lost side. Dijon moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Chalon/Saone. Le Mans at the other side keeps the sixth position with ten games lost. Dijon will meet higher ranked Saint Quentin (#8) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Le Mans will play against the league’s leader Cholet having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Le Mans: A.N’Doye 15+5reb+1ast, T.Hudgins 14+3reb+2ast, T.Buchanan 10+2reb, T.Thomas 10+2reb+2ast, L.Delaunay 8+3reb+1ast, N.Penda 6+4reb+1ast
Dijon: M.McDuffie 15+4reb+3ast, G.Hrovat 14+5reb+3ast, I.Kamardine 14+2reb+3ast, C.Sengfelder 12+2reb, A.Julien 10+1reb+5ast, G.Ware 6+2reb
gschID: 1178961
Gravelines – Nancy 84-87
Very expected game when 14th ranked Gravelines-Dunkerque (7-15) was edged at home by eighth ranked Sluc Nancy (11-11) 87-84 on Sunday. Nancy dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Gravelines-Dunkerque‘ 32. Nancy looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American-Central African point guard Chris Clemons (175-1997, college: Campbell) notched 22 points and 7 assists to lead the effort and center Zacharie Perrin (207-2004, college: Illinois) supported him with 13 points. Even 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists by American-Filipino Tajuan Agee (206-1997, college: Iona) did not help to save the game for Gravelines. American point guard Glynn Watson Jr (183-1997, college: Nebraska) added 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for lost side. Sluc Nancy have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Saint Quentin. Gravelines lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 15 games lost. Nancy will meet at home Strasbourg (#12) in the next round where they are favorite. Gravelines will play against Paris and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gravelines: G.Watson Jr. 20+5reb+5ast, T.Agee 18+8reb+4ast, H.Cattoor 12+2reb+2ast, C.Babb 9+3reb+7ast, V.Chery 8+2reb+1ast, A.Van Vliet 5+5reb
Nancy: C.Clemons 22+3reb+7ast, S.Thompson 13+3reb, Z.Perrin 13+3reb+2ast, A.Labanca 10+1ast, M.Amini 9+2reb+2ast, D.Oliver 7+5reb+1ast
gschID: 1178962
Limoges – Bourg 63-87
Very predictable result when fifth ranked JL Bourg (15-7) rolled over on the road 11th ranked Limoges CSP Elite (8-14) 87-63 on Saturday. Bourg dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Limoges CSP Elite‘ 32. They outrebounded Limoges 45-32 including 17 on the offensive glass. Bourg looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Guard Joel Ayayi (193-2000, college: Gonzaga) notched a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the effort and American Jordan Usher (201-1998, college: Georgia Tech) supported him with 17 points and 4 assists. Four JL Bourg players scored in double figures. Even 16 points and 6 rebounds by the former international swingman Nicolas Lang (198-1990) did not help to save the game for Limoges. Forward Mamadou Guisse (197-2001) added 14 points for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Bourg maintains fifth position with 15-7 record. Loser Limoges CSP Elite dropped to the twelfth place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Strasbourg. Bourg will meet at home bottom-ranked La Rochelle (#16) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Limoges will play against Nanterre (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Limoges: N.Lang 16+6reb+3ast, M.Guisse 14+4reb, J.Bannan 9+3reb, T.Bluiett 5+3reb+2ast, M.Diarra 5+6reb+4ast, S.Boum 5+2ast
Bourg: J.Usher 17+4reb+4ast, J.Ayayi 15+10reb+7ast, J.Pansa 12+4reb, A.Nelson 10+7reb+1ast, T.Webster 9+1reb+3ast, M.Salash 8+6reb+4ast
gschID: 1178963
Monaco – ASVEL 86-94
Leading Monaco (17-5) recorded its fifth loss at the home court. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (16-6) 94-86. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Monaco. Monaco was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. The former international point guard Theo Maledon (192-2001) scored 27 points and 9 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American forward Andre Roberson (201-1991, college: Colorado) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side the former international guard Elie Okobo (191-1997) responded with 16 points and 5 assists and the former international center Mouhammadou Jaiteh (211-1994) scored 16 points and 5 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots). Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Paris. Defending champion Monaco still keeps top position with five games lost. They share it with Cholet. ASVEL will play against Chalon/Saone (#9) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Monaco will play against Le Portel (#15) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Monaco: M.Jaiteh 16+5reb, E.Okobo 16+1reb+5ast, J.Blossomgame 13+3reb+1ast, M.James 11+3reb+4ast, D.Motiejunas 10+2reb+1ast, A.Diallo 7+6reb+1ast
ASVEL: T.Maledon 27+3reb+9ast, A.Roberson 14+8reb+2ast, J.Lauvergne 11+6reb, D.Lighty 10+2reb+2ast, N.Sako 9+1reb, E.Jackson 9+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1178964
Saint Quentin – Nanterre 67-76
There was an upset when higher ranked Saint-Quentin (11-11) lost at home to eleventh ranked JSF Nanterre (9-13) 76-67 on Sunday. American forward Justin Tillman (203-1996, college: VCU) notched a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international point guard Benjamin Sene (188-1994) supported him with 16 points and 6 assists. Four JSF Nanterre players scored in double figures. Even 18 points and 6 rebounds by American Jerome Robinson (197-1997, college: Boston Coll.) did not help to save the game for Saint Quentin. Canadian forward Noah Kirkwood (201-1999, college: Harvard) added 15 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Saint-Quentin’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Nanterre maintains eleventh position with 9-13 record. Loser Saint-Quentin keeps the seventh place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Nancy. Nanterre will meet at home Limoges (#13) in the next round. Saint Quentin will play against Dijon (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Saint Quentin: J.Robinson 18+6reb+2ast, N.Kirkwood 15+5reb+3ast, N.Traore 12+1reb+3ast, K.Moore 8+6reb+1ast, G.Oniangue 8+4reb+3ast, L.Schwartz 2+2reb
Nanterre: J.Tillman 17+11reb+1ast, B.Sene 16+4reb+6ast, W.Howard 15+8reb+3ast, D.Rodriguez 12+6reb+4ast, P.Lacombe 9+3reb+2ast, L.Dussoulier 3+3reb+1ast
gschID: 1178965
Strasbourg – Paris 79-87
Everything went according to plan when third ranked Paris Basket (16-6) defeated on the road 11th ranked SIG Strasbourg (8-14) 87-79 on Friday. Paris made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. American swingman Tyson Ward (198-1997, college: NDSU) notched 19 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and American-North Macedonian point guard TJ Shorts (175-1997, college: UC Davis) supported him with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Shorts is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Even 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by American point guard Troy Caupain (193-1995, college: Cincinnati, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) did not help to save the game for Strasbourg. Croatian swingman Filip Kruslin (198-1989) added 13 points and 7 assists for lost side. Four Paris and five Strasbourg players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Paris maintains third position with 16-6 record behind leader Cholet, which they share with ASVEL. Loser SIG Strasbourg dropped to the twelfth place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Limoges. Paris will meet at home Gravelines (#14) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Strasbourg will play against Nancy and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Strasbourg: D.Artis 14+2reb+2ast, T.Caupain 13+5reb+4ast, F.Kruslin 13+1reb+7ast, B.Dessert 12+5reb, A.Sow 10+5reb+2ast, J.Maille 7+5reb+2ast
Paris: T.Ward 19+6reb+2ast, N.Hifi 18+3reb+2ast, T.Shorts 11+5reb+8ast, M.Lo 10+1reb+1ast, B.Sy 7+2reb+1ast, K.Hayes 6+3reb
gschID: 1178966
