Limoges remains undefeated at home at the start of the season after a close victory against Le Mans. The CSP won by two small points 92-90, at the end of the second overtime.
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For this 5th day of Betclic Elite, the Palais des Sports de Beaublanc was full.
Le Mans starts the match with a first basket in the racket, a sector where the Manceaux will dominate the CSP during this first period – 24 points for the MSB against only 12 for the CSP.
Nicolas Lang, well watched – 0 shots in 7’30” – will come out of his box after a first timeout set by Jean-Marc Dupraz. The captain finally finds the circle for a first three-point basket and Limoges pulls back together, 19-20 at the end of the first quarter, the CSP limits the damage.
The second quarter starts and Limoges goes back in front with a winning basket from Bluiett (22-21). The crossover between the two teams begins. Le Mans insisted on three points, but no longer had the same success thanks to a better defense from the CSP, which toughened the game. The Manceaux nevertheless regained the advantage one minute before half-time (33-35), before worsening the score (33-39). Plus six for MSB at the break thanks to the contribution of its bench – 18 points against 10 for the Limougeauds replacements.
At the start of the second half, Le Mans insisted under the basket to take an 8-point lead in just one minute (35-43). This is the moment that captain Nicolas Lang chose to score three new points, which brought Limoges back into the game. Finally Limoges finished this 3rd quarter with a very small point behind (55-56). More than ever, the CSP is still there.
From the start of the 4th quarter, Nicolas Lang sounded the charge with a winning shot which allowed his team to lead by one point. Then it was Mohamed Diarra’s turn (14 points) to score from long distance before Trevon Bluiett scored a new three-point basket in the process (top scorer of the match with 25 points). The Palais des Sports explodes and Limoges leads 64-58 eight minutes from time. Le Mans takes a blow to the head, but remains dangerous (67-58).
Mohamed Diarra, once again, rules the roost in defense – 70-61 for the CSP five minutes from time.
The end of the match is choppy, stressful, unbreathable. The MSB did not give up and gradually chipped away at 75-73, thirteen seconds from the end. At the buzzer, Le Mans even managed to equalize. This is the extension. Both teams start again for five minutes.
Good, captain Nicolas Lang (22 points, he is only three baskets away from the record for the number of three-point baskets in the LNB) takes his responsibilities. The Limougeaud captain stacks a second three-point basket in a row to give his team an eight-point lead but Le Mans hangs on and snatches a second overtime.
In Beaublanc, the supporters are on edge. The end of the match is unbearable. Limoges goes in front 55 seconds from the end 88-87.
Finally Limoges won 92-90, but it was hard, as we can read on the faces of the club management, Lionel Peluhet in the lead, who let out a big “phew” of relief as he headed towards the tunnel leading to the locker rooms.
A victory which feels good and which will weigh heavily. The CSP remains undefeated at home after five days.
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