If the Palois are the first to take action (4-10, 3e), the PB 86, sheltered by Jeanne's 2.18m and put into orbit by Rupnik's light passes and Harley's points, reacted immediately (15-15, 7e).
This first quarter is punctuated by 11 changes of leader, proof of the indecision of the debates, with a final passage in the lead of the Elan at the buzzer thanks to a 3 point from Gaylor Curier (21-23, 10e).
The Palois are still ahead thanks to the first points among the pros from Yohann Fansi, but they ultimately benefit very little from their cleanliness (1is lost ball in the 11th) and Poitevine clumsiness behind the arc (24-26, 13e). Eyango, is the only local to find comfort at 6.75m (27-29, 14e) before finding in Fibleuil, a productive ally.
“Leave them on half court”
The Elk begins to pay dearly for its lack of inner hardness. The battle for the rebound (26 to 11 at half-time) is an ordeal for the Béarnais who grimace when they see Jeanne and Rupnik return to the field. In less than two minutes, Pau suffered an 11-0 which woke up the Futurosocope Arena (40-33, 16e) and gives extra defensive ardor to the locals. The kind of sequence which highlights the absence of Chris Ledlum (ankle), the top scorer in the championship.
The green and white are in the tough (44-38, 19e) but a final rush, launched by Pinault (4 out of 6 at 3 pts at the break) and concluded by 3 points from Speight at the buzzer, reversed the situation (43-45, half-time).
“It’s not a great first half. We had a goal, it was to control the rebound, for the moment that's what keeps them in the match with the fast game. We know, it’s a young team that loves to run, we have to manage to leave them on half-court,” assessed Bastien Pinault at the microphone of France 3 at the break.
Pinault goes around again
Back in the game, Speight takes on the role of boss. First at 3 points then at the pass. Sa 7e offering makes Raharimanantoanina shine and offers 5 lengths to the Béarnais (47-52, 24e). Short-lived breath of air. Poitiers remains aggressive, the fouls fall on the Béarnaise shoulders, Missonnier is struggling, and 8 throws and a dunk later, the PB 86 overturned everything (57-52, 26e).
It is once again Bastien Pinault who cleans the clogged engine to keep alive the hope of a sixth away victory (59-57, 29 ; 62-61, 30e).
Hope which takes a wipeout with the three lost balls quickly lost at the start of the last quarter (67-61, 34th). The Elan will have to find a last breath with a Speight under the threat of a 5th fault which would be fatal.
At 3'30 from the end, PB 86 still controls the match (72-65) with a wider range of solutions than in the Pau camp (74-68, 38th).
However, when Speight sends Sitraka into orbit again, Pau comes back to a tiny possession and 1'39 to run (74-72). Hope is reborn all the more! Too bad to see Pinault's foot bite the touchline as an equalizer. On the next action, Jeanne registers a single throw. The match remains open for potential overtime. As long as you imagine the Elan scoring 3 points after timeout and 20 seconds on the clock. The shot is there, but Speight fails on the scrap.
“When we see the final gap, it’s nothing,” the American leader could only say, author of 12 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds for his second appearance. “I feel that we are progressing, that’s the most important thing,” he said positively while a few meters from him the communion was in full swing between the public and the local players.
An image of joy that Elan hopes to experience in a week at the Palais to end 2024 in style. But a big effort is still required from the Palois before enjoying the end-of-year festivities. Because next Friday, the 21ste official match of the season, 18e and penultimate of the first leg of the championship, offers a choice piece with the reception of leader Boulazac. The perfect opportunity for the Béarnais, not super friendly with their fans this fall (four home victories out of nine receptions), to end the calendar year on a good note and balance their balance sheet for the umpteenth time.
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