After a great start, the Rennais marked time and lacked efficiency in finishing. The visitors, although hampered by the aggressive local defense, found solutions on penetration and came back to score thanks to fouls (11-11, 8′).
In Joseph’s wake, the Tarbais managed to shake up the locals who were a little too tender and broke away (13-21, 10′). Always clumsy with their long-distance shots and hampered by the opposing zone defense, the Rennais compensated with a lot of defensive activity. Billong took his responsibilities in attack and relaunched his own (26-25, 16′).
Three-point contest
The Rennais regained their confidence and at the same time found their way to baskets (33-32, 20′). At the restart, Selebangue played spoilsport in the Tarbes defense, but the visitors could count on the skill of Wiscart-Goetz, imperious in this third quarter, to regain the upper hand. Sclear responded without trembling in a match that kept all its promises (54-51, 29′).
The fight became tougher and each ball was fiercely contested, with neither team really managing to break away (59-57, 35′). As the defenses came into clear focus, a three-point contest began between Ateba and Sclear.
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Tarbes then relied on Joseph to cause numerous errors in the racket and take a small advantage at the best moment (64-68, 39’05”). Billong gave Rennes hope and a surreal shot from Sclear brought the locals to a small point, two seconds from the end (69-70). But the Rennais bowed to this small gap.
RENNES – TARBES: 69-70
(15-21, 18-11, 23-19, 13-19)
Judges: Mmes. Voyau and Le Quilliec.
RENNES. Fontaine 6, Cadiau 4, Sclear 20, Billong 15, Sekou-Condé 9, Selebangue 12, Haidara 3.
Coach : Aymeric Delsarte.
TARBES. Room 16, Badiane 1, Wiscart-Goetz 10, Ateba 11, Queta 13, Le Roux 5, Joseph 14.
Coach : Stephane Dao.
