Betclic Elite (J28): Monaco beats Strasbourg after extra time

In closing this 28th day of Betclic Elite, Monaco managed to win on Strasbourg’s court after extra time (114-118). A little earlier on this Sunday, JL Bourg was defeated at home by Saint-Quentin (71-89).

As the leader of Betclic Elite, Monaco played away on Sunday on Strasbourg’s court as part of the 28th day of the season. In a game full of twists and turns, the players of Roca Team narrowly emerged victorious in extra time (114-118). Furthermore, on Sunday, JL Bourg (5th) was surprised at home by Saint-Quentin (15th) and missed the opportunity to return to the top 4 (71-89).

Strasbourg pushes for extra time at the last moment

In the early stages of the game, Abdoulaye Ndoye (23 points on 9/9 shooting, 8 rebounds) caught fire with nine points scored in the first quarter, allowing Roca Team to stay in the game thanks in part to long-range accuracy of Matthew Strazel (21 points). After the first ten minutes where both teams were neck and neck (23-23), Monaco gradually took the lead in the second quarter, capitalizing on Kevarrius Hayes’ good performance (18 points). SIG tried to stop the momentum of the Monégasques through Mike Davies Jr (23 points). Monaco ended the first half with a lead (45-53).

After halftime, the Monégasques started to falter, giving Strasbourg the chance to get back into the game. The players of SIG equalized two minutes before the end of the third quarter. Roca Team held on and entered the final ten minutes with a two-point lead. In the last quarter, Monaco took a 7-point lead with three minutes remaining. Despite Monaco seeming to have control, it was in the final minute where the game intensified, leading to extra time after Strasbourg managed to equalize with a 5-0 run finished off by a long-range shot from Davies Jr (103-103).

In extra time, Monaco took the advantage, especially with Mike James’ free throw accuracy (21 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists). Keene helped SIG stay close, but Strazel made the difference by scoring seven points in two minutes, securing Monaco’s twenty-second win of the season, firmly seated at the top of Betclic Elite. On the other hand, SIG remains in a good position, in 6th place.

JL Bourg misses the mark

In the other game on Sunday, Bourg-en-Bresse – who won on Tuesday in the Eurocup against Besiktas – had the chance to get back into the top 4 currently held by ASVEL. Although things started well for Adam Mokoka (10 points) and his teammates, leading after the first ten minutes (20-16), things became complicated afterwards.

Lacking accuracy in the second and third quarters, JL Bourg saw Saint-Quentin players, led by Eddie Ekiyor (23 points) and Cat Barber (22 points), take a significant lead by the end of the third quarter (48-64). While JL Bourg managed to make a comeback at the start of the final quarter, Saint-Quentin showed more strength and ultimately secured the victory. Bourg-en-Bresse missed the opportunity to return to the top 4, while Saint-Quentin had a great performance in the fight against relegation, leveling with Gravelines with the same record, two days before the end of the season.