At the end of a very close match, PB86 ended up winning against Pau at the Arena Futuroscope (77-72). A good omen before closing the year in Orléans next Friday.
Tours and La Rochelle had dampened the Christmas atmosphere in 2022 and 2023. Pau also almost spoiled the party and forced the PB86 into a hazardous extension. But Micah Speight's last missile three seconds from the end of regulation time was a mess and Ilane Fibleui snatched the rebound to end the suspense, before Blair secured on the free throw line (77- 72). Phew! The Futuroscope Arena is not cursed and can also be the scene of the greatest successes. “It’s a different atmosphere than at Saint-Eloi where there is a more knowledgeable audience, but when there are close matches, it’s still nice here, a great show for everyone”savored Andy Thornton-Jones afterwards.
His players gave him a few cold sweats, notably at the end of a first half that was too permissive in defense with 45 points conceded, despite enormous domination on the rebound (46-32 in the end). Fibleuil, author of 13pts, 8rbds and 16 evaluation, and his teammates produced a much better copy after the break, leaving the Elan Béarnais at 27pts. It was necessary at least that to get rid of the Palois led by an insolent Bastien Pinault of skill in the third quarter (20pts). Because with a Jahvon Blair lacking success and a Jonathan Jeanne quickly weighed down by mistakes – the 3e et 4e At the start of the third quarter, the PB drew on its resources. The award-winning baskets of Imanol Prot and the trickery of Luka Rupnik, provocateur in chief (14pts at 8/9 on throws) allowed the locals to never really be defeated… without ever having a comfortable lead either (72-65 ).
Place in Orléans
“They made big runs and made big shots, analyzed Ilane Fibleuil afterwards. It's a good, complete team. We had this little extra something and it did it! » We will particularly remember the performance of the new US leader of Elan. Micah Speight hurt his opponents, by scoring (12pts) but above all by offering caviar (9) to his teammates. Enough to leave his coach Mickaël Hay with regrets. “We were courageous, I can’t blame my players for not being courageous. But we were too dominated on the rebound. On certain actions, we lack determination. » And the former ADA coach found ” Shame that there is a difference in free throws from singles to doubles.
His team, deprived this evening of its best player Christopher Ledlum, will end the calendar year on Friday December 27 with the reception of leader Boulazac, while the PB86 will visit Orléans, 2e by Pro B. A tantalizing shock in a CO'Met that was undoubtedly sold out. And a new Christmas present after the hour?
The sheet
In Chasseneuil, Arena Futuroscope room, Poitiers Basket B86 beats Pau-Lacq-Orthez 77-72. Halftime: 44-45. Evolution of the score: 21-23, 44-45, 62-61, 77-72. Score by quarter: 21-23, 23-22, 18-16, 15-11. Arbitration of Messrs. Canet, Cortigny and Lohezic. 5,200 spectators.
Poitiers. Jeanne (9), Blair (), Ojiako (2), Rupnik (14), Ramljak (8), Fibleuil (13), Brena-Chemille (1), Prot (7), Harley (9), Eyango (6) . Coach: Andy Thornton-Jones.
Pau. Speight (12), Pinault (20), Whyte (9), Sidibé (3), Marsillo-Noléon (10), Curier (7), Raharimanaantoan (8), Fansi (3), puis Mbala N'Tansa, Missonnier. Entertainer: Mickaël Hay.
