For this first of the season at home, CB takes the lead, thanks to Ayayi (2-0, 1st). But we had to wait five minutes to see the locals widen a first significant gap, thanks to the efforts of a Melvin who was as precise from a distance as he was explosive near the circle (13-8, 5th). The two teams being as skillful as each other at long distance – 3/5 on the local side, 4/7 on the visiting side after ten minutes – the gap, after having increased to + 8 in favor of Cholet (23- 15, 9th), stabilizes at +5 at the end of the first quarter (26-21, 10th).
TJ Campbell then took matters into his own hands, in scoring and passing, and the ten-point lead was reached (31-21, 13th, then 36-21, 14th). The BCM had to wait 3’35” to score again and stop a 10-0 compiled by CB thanks, among other things, to a Melvin – 14 points after 15 minutes – as incisive as ever (36-23, 14th). Cholet takes the measure of the match and pushes its advantage a little further, via two winning baskets scored consecutively by Diawara (46-27, 17th). Cholet finally returned to the locker room with the satisfaction of having already crossed the 50-point mark, but also the regret of having let Babb score from afar at the buzzer (51-36, 20th).
Cholet scores 31 points in the third quarter
At the restart, Gravelines tried to put in a little more, but Cholet did better than respond (59-40, 24th). And as Melvin remains inspired behind the arc, the score continues to swell (62-40, 25th). But the Northerners refuse to lower their flag, and they begin to chip away at their deficit (66-50, 27th). The local response is immediate: two stolen balls, three actions in rapid transition, and here is Roberson – untenable (6 points in 100 seconds) – and his partners at +24 (74-50, 28th). The BCM, stunned, conceded a total of 14-1 in three minutes (80-51, 30th). Attacking the final straight, Cholet, who has just scored 31 points in this third quarter, is 29 lengths ahead (82-53, 30th). An advantage which already seems decisive.
All the more decisive as it continues to grow (84-53, 31st). Of course, Fabrice Lefrançois’ team ends up relaxing a little, and Gravelines slightly fills the hole (86-60, 34th). It was a flash in the pan because CB was in control – two 3-point shots from Ndow in quick succession (92-62, 35th) – and offered his hundredth point to Espoir leader Soren Bracq (100-66, 39th). The end of the match is festive. A happy reunion between Cholet and his audience.
