This derby between Saint-Quentin and BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque marked the return of the Betclic ELITE after the international break in November. In the tough championship with four losses in a row, Jean-Christophe Prat's team got back on track perfectly by winning at Pierre-Ratte (83-86).
The Watson Jr – Babb doublet takes Gravelines-Dunkerque at the break
We had to wait 2 minutes and 30 seconds to see the first basket of this match. And despite a start marked by the blunders of the two formations, they are the partners of a monumental Glynn Watson Jr (27 points on 9/13 shots and 8 assists) who widened a first significant gap and distanced themselves in this meeting (6-13, 7′).
Yet jostled, Julien Mahé's men let the storm pass and took advantage of the young leader's very good performance Enzo Goudou-Sinha (15 points on 5/9 shots and 2 rebounds), just extended, to get back in front just before the end of the first quarter (17-15, 10′). The back-and-forth continued between the two teams without either being able to gain the upper hand over the other. Helped by a Chris Babb omnipresent (22 points at 4/10 on shots and 5 assists), Jean-Christophe Prat's men finished this second quarter strong to return to the locker room in the lead by a small point (45-46, 20') .
Chris Babb on free throws for the victory!
Returning to the floor with better intentions, the locals resumed their march forward relying on a Dominik Olejniczak in the oven and in the mill (12 points on 4/9 shooting, 17 rebounds and 2 assists). Despite this great reaction from the SQBB, the Maritimes did not tremble and retained the advantage ten minutes from time (62-64, 30′). Trailing for 37 minutes, the Picards were unable to turn the situation around to their advantage this Friday evening. Yet carried by a Jerome Robinson very efficient (22 points on 7/14 shots, 3 rebounds and 3 assists) and who came out of his box at the best of times, Julien Mahé's team got back in front at the end of the match.
Until Chris Babb got his clutch side talking, getting a foul from Loïc Schwartz on a 3-point shot. It was still necessary to make the three free throws, the advantage of the SQBB still being a small possession (81-83). But the American rear did not tremble (84-83). Behind, with 10 seconds to play, Jerome Robinson wanted to remember the good memories of his great debut at Pierre-Ratte, when he gave victory to his new team against AS Monaco on the first day. But he did not have the same success as his compatriot and Saint-Quentin had to lose in this first Hauts-de-France derby. A few hours after announcing the start of the fiasco Romeo Langfordthe day ended admirably well for Gravelines-Dunkerque.
France
