Le Poinçonnet: 72
Limoges : 64
Family reunion at CTR. Between two twin teams, as they have followed similar trajectories in recent years, it was the Poinçonnoises who had the last word. Of the two teams who had until now experienced identical paths which led them to the bottom, it is Le Poinçonnet who takes the lead and a good breath of fresh air in the rankings.
For this meeting between neighbors, we saw the big picture. Returning from the Vendée Globe to Les Sables-d'Olonne, the Minister of Sports, Gil Avérous, is present, as is a busload of opposing supporters as well as the Red Blue Angels, more often in support of the Berrichonne, who joined for the occasion the Poings Sonneurs. The CTR is as full as an egg, for those who have not understood, this is a crucial meeting for maintenance.
Karamovic shines from the start
In a supercharged atmosphere, the Poinçonnoises get off to a flying start. Karamovic is doing what has been expected of her since the start of the season: causing havoc in the opposing camp. Three out of three at three points, the Swede alone tilts the balance towards Berry (12-2, 2e) forcing Lclaircie to take an early time out. And it paid off since, four minutes later, with a defense that no longer had anything to do with it, the Limougeaudes came back to the level (15-12, 6e).
Definitely inspired, Karamovic calms the visiting enthusiasm, helped by Grissett and Rodrigues (25-14, 8e), Poinçonnet takes the lead after ten minutes of a benchmark quarter-time (27-16). This is not the match of a single player, when Karamovic is less productive, Koita asserts her centimeters under the circle (35-23, 15e).
And the Limougeaudes in all this? They have absolutely not given up of course and are taking advantage of local address failures to get closer (37-30, 17e). Everything is not perfect on both sides of the field but both teams are deploying incredible energy to outrun the other. At the break, Le Poinçonnet managed to maintain its lead (44-35).
Air hole on return
In all probability, things will shake up when we resume. It is indeed shaking and it is the poorly named Bienvenu who is responsible for the shaking. Three winning shots in a row, in less than two minutes, the Limougeaudes came back (44-44, 22e). Ménival stops the charges to cut off the opposing momentum. You have to wait more than three interminable minutes to note the first Poinçonnois basket, signed Kiluangu (46-44, 24e).
We expected a fight, we had a fight, the two teams went blow for blow. (53-49, 26e). And when there's a fight, we bring out the boots. Pillet, Grissett and Karamovic lead the battle (58-49, 27e) and give Poinçonnet a ten-point lead (61-51, 29e). But an unsportsmanlike whistle at Rodrigues allows the Limougeaudes to still believe in it at the half-hour mark (61-55).
When things were shaking, Pillet and Grissett took over the reins of the meeting.
© (Photo NR, Thierry Roulliaud)
It hits in all directions
It promises for the final ten minutes. Karamovic loses twice (61-57, 32e), pass Grissett and Kiluangu (66–60, 35e). It's probably linked, if it no longer scores, it hits in all directions (68-61, 37e). Pillet, hit in the ankle, manages to serve a caviar to Grissett (70-61) and Koita completes the affair (72-64, 39e). The audience ends up standing, radiant and can express their joy before the big return of clapping. Victories like this are when you want…
The quarters : 27-16, 17-19 (44-35), 17-20 (61-55), 11-9 (72-64).
Referees : MM. Broye and Scanff.
The Poinçonnet : Pillet (6 points), Hanifi (2), Kiluangu (6), Karamovic (21), Grissett (17) ; then Koita (6), Rodrigues (9), Labesse (3), Louisy. Coach: Menival.
Limoges : Cadario (15), Foirest (15), N'Kodia (9), Bienvenu (12), Diakité (4); then Latil (3), Drama (3), Sall (2), Semavoine (2), Sahly. Coach: Lclaircie.
THEY SAID
François Ménival (Poinçonnet coach) : “It feels good because on the balance sheet we are not yet in balance but we are getting closer with three victories and four defeats. We are moving a little out of this worrying red zone. There were plenty of plays in the match. At the beginning, we master our subject, we master the defensive rebound which allows us to run and get the shots we want. The first half is good and then there is this return from the locker room where we are not there at all, we take a 9-0 which forces me to take a time out. It completely changed the match, we moved into a trench match, usual against Limoges. I'm proud of the girls because we managed to re-mobilize very very quickly after this 9-0, and on defense, on defensive stops, we managed to achieve a victory, not easy but quite calm. It's also really nice to play with such an atmosphere. »
Romain Lclaircie (Limoges coach): “It’s hard because we knew this was a crucial match. It's only day 7 but we knew it was important in terms of maintaining. We didn't do the job defensively in the first half, we conceded 44 points. We tighten the screw second, but it's already too late. We also see our lack of confidence, we shoot at 30% while many shots are open or on free throws. If we can't do much to correct the address, we can avoid taking nine points on defensive withdrawal in the first quarter after we had worked in this sector all week. We take too many points from players who are targeted. We came back thanks to a run from Margot Bienvenu with three three-point baskets at the restart but we fell back into our mistakes. We have a very young squad but I don't want to make excuses. It's complicated. »
