Essential
Favorites on paper, the Tarn-et-Garonnais secured an important victory on Saturday in Gironde.
The MBC succeeded in avoiding the Bordeaux trap on Saturday night, winning by two points against a team fighting to avoid relegation. In a closely contested match with a high number of fouls (51 in total throughout the game, and 62 free throws attempted), the two teams were neck and neck from the start. Missing Thomas Mobisa due to injury, with assistant coach on Saturday, and Jérémy Hobbe resting due to an injury, Cédric Fau was able to lead the team against an aggressive Bordeaux team led by the impactful T. Duthil (23 points in the end, highest scorer on Saturday). The alternating inside/outside game with good rotations allowed MBC to finish with a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter (21-22). The second quarter served as a reminder to the teams in the league that the MBC, when in good form, has sharpshooters from three-point range with four successful shots during this period, involving four different players while Mérignac relied on free throws to stay in the game and even take the lead going into halftime (48-46).
On fire from three-point range
As play resumed, the changing game tactics disrupted the home team, and Alexandre L’Etang stepped up after Thibaut Crapez to make two successful three-point shots, while Sören Politowiez and Geoffrey Caubel (top scorer for MBC with 15 points) continued to dominate inside. The two teams exchanged blows to reach a nearly tied score before the final quarter (66-67). Thibaut Crapez then took advantage of the fourth quarter to showcase his expertise from behind the three-point line, scoring three baskets in that period. The hope faded for the home team as Montauban confidently secured a two-point victory.
Next up. The Canonniers solidify their 3rd place before hosting Villeneuve-sur-Lot next Saturday at the Fobio multisports hall (9 PM).
MERIGNAC 87 MONTAUBAN 89
Halftime: 48-46; Referees: MM. Araik Martirossian and Brice Gahat.
1st QUARTER: 21-22, 2nd QUARTER: 27-24, 3rd QUARTER: 18-21, 4th QUARTER: 21-22.
For SA Mérignac: T. Duthil (23 points), A. Benfodda (17), A. Kouloumba (14), A. Coué (10), E.H. Ndao (10), H. Rozand (7), R. Azevedo (5), B.-Y. Timon (1). Coach: E. Minotte..
For MBC: G. Caubel (15 points), Th. Crapez (14), R. Dabadie (11), S. Politowiez (10), C. Coustures (10), A. L’Etang (9), B. Gomis (6), O. Gadji (5), A. Barbier (5), S. Loferne (4). Coach: Cédric Fau, assisted by Thomas Mobisa.
