Basketball. New home victory for Limoges CSP and a historic record for Nicolas Lang

The CSP, 10th in the ranking, hosted Elan Chalon, currently 15th in Betclic Elite in a match with double stakes: recording a new victory at Beaublanc, to continue the series of successes at home since the start of the season (3 out of 3 ) and for Nicolas Lang, his captain, set the historic record in the French championship for the total number of 3-point baskets. Both objectives were fulfilled in a close encounter.

“In all the rooms he scored, it’s the captain of the CSP, Nicolas Lang Allez Allez…” Coming down from the Ultras Green stand even before kick-off, the song imbues Beaublanc with a special atmosphere. That of a record-breaking evening. Because since the trip to Strasbourg a week earlier, the captain has missed a 3-point basket to beat the historical record for the total number of winning shots in the French championship (since 1987 and the start of the LNB era).

The incredible “shooter” only waited 2 minutes of play to confirm this famous record and become the most prolific 3-point player in the history of the French Basketball championship (record held since 2006 by Eric Micoud) . 756 3-point baskets (including 394 in the Limougeaud jersey), in other words 2268 points scored from long distance. So, to become better aware of these dizzying figures, time has stopped. That of the game. The 34-year-old player receives a strong ovation: that of Beaublanc, full to bursting and standing, to honor his favorite captain, the family of Nicolas Lang, his wife, his two sons, enter the field to present him a trophy. A few moments to celebrate a historic moment that the scorer quickly wants to put in the background to concentrate fully on the match. Then, as if to drive the point home, the Alsatian once again takes a long shot when the match resumes.

“There were 2 things that were important to me: victory and this record that we have been talking about for a long time. One without the other, it would have been a waste. I am very happy to have been able to do this”

Nicolas Lang, captain of the Limoges CSP

“It is an added value to have Nicolas Lang in your team, because of his experience, his level of play and his investment. He trains a lot. His whole life revolves around performance. It is an example for others. Our young players need to be inspired by that.”

Jean-Marc Dupraz, coach of Limoges CSP

A precarious advance

But the golden parenthesis quickly ends. Ahead, the CSP is unable to get rid of Elan Chalon who, without making any sparks, is never left behind. The two teams often have difficulty showing skill, like the start of the second quarter, where only 2 meager points are scored in 3 minutes and 30 seconds of play. And the Châlonnais defense hampers Limoges. But a few flashes from Nicolas Lang, definitely still efficient and reassuring, allowed the CSP to return to the locker room leading by 4 points (35-31).

“I felt like I had to push them a lot to stay consistent and consistent. I gave a little more voice and agitation than usual.”

Jean-Marc Dupraz, coach of Limoges CSP

At the start of the second half, the Limoges CSP opponents continued to put pressure on the Limougeauds who failed to raise their level of play. Result: Chalon got back in front, thanks to its American leader, Jamel Morris.

“They have talented players who are difficult to read. We had to be on alert all the time.”

Jean-Marc Dupraz, coach of Limoges CSP

If Jean-Marc Dupraz’s men give the impression of waking up by chaining together 3 winning shots (signed Lucas Beaufort, Nicolas Lang and Malik Osborne) and thus taking 7 steps ahead, the latter are erased at the start of the 4th quarter -time: 6 minutes 30 seconds from the end, the two teams are tied on the scoreboard (59-59).

But the last 5 minutes were well managed by the CSP and the number of lost balls on the Chalon side increased. The duo Vincent Amsellem – Alexandre Chassang is the big contributor to Money Time: on several occasions the leader serves his teammate perfectly in the racket. In the stands, the 6th man took on his thunderous voice of big evenings. The CSP won 74 to 68. Still undefeated at Beaublanc, as in all these home matches since the start of the season, Limoges celebrated this invincibility with its public (the results after this 7th day of the championship were 4 victories for 3 defeats, all recorded away) and the now 767 3-point baskets from his captain, joined in the center of the floor by all his loved ones who have donned a whole collection of Lang flocked jerseys. But if he admitted to savoring this record at the end of the meeting, Nicolas Lang also said he was happy to finally be able to “move on to something else”. Next Saturday, Cholet, currently second in the Betclic Elite rankings, will be a great opponent to welcome to hold the Beaublanc fortress and quietly increase this record for winning shots.