While waiting for the arrival (hoped imminent) of a reinforcement to compensate for the absence of Jamuni McNeace (calf), it was with a team also deprived of Soren Bracq (shoulder) and Mohamed Diawara (ankle) that Cholet Basket presented itself this Saturday, December 21 on the floor of Nanterre. Faced with Ile-de-France residents who have regained form in recent weeks – thanks in particular to the silent takeover of part of the training by Pascal Donnadieu – the Choletais took the first blows (7-0, 2nd). Like Desi Rodriguez (10 points in 7 minutes), the Nanterriens show their muscles (15-6, 6th) and manhandle a Cholet defense that is far from airtight (27 points conceded in the first quarter).
Once is not customary, it is in attack that Fabrice Lefrançois' players find the right rhythm. At first clumsy, they adjust the sights to the periphery and find free spaces. In two minutes, straddling the first two quarters, CB accelerated and recovered with a 7-0 (27-26, 11th). One hundred and twenty seconds later, the dynamic is confirmed: Campbell is comfortable in his boss costume, Vautier shines at the finish while Ndow, Melvin and De Sousa delight (29-33, 13th). With confidence, the Choletais gained a lead of 6 points (35-41, 16th). But the Nanterrians, not having the intention of letting themselves be walked on without reacting, raised their voice and pushed the Choletais to make a mistake. Impeccable on the free throw line (17/18), they get back together. At the break, it's 50-50 between the two teams.
A collective power rediscovered
Returning from the locker room, Ayayi and Ndow maintain the Cholet momentum (61-64, 26th) at the same time as Levillain contributes his share just to make Vautier breathe. The debates are still as balanced, but the Choletais, thanks to the coolness of Campbell and the hot blood of Ayayi (10 points in the third quarter), keep the lead to attack the final straight with 4 units in advance (72 -76, 30th).
Without Vautier, penalized with four faults, CB did not panic in the face of the Nanterre attacks. Better, Wheeler finds the target, Levillain snatches an offensive rebound and Ayayi continues his festival. To the delight of the hundred or so noisy Reds supporters, Cholet escaped (77-86, 34th). Nanterre, via Barbitch, hangs on (82-86, 36th), but De Sousa shows his confidence (82-88, 37th). Campbell, Ayayi, Wheeler without forgetting… Levillain do the rest to seal the 11th Cholet success in 13 days of Betclic Elite. Cholet is strong and a leader.
