AS Niort (N2) 69 – BB Marmande (N2) 75
Lieu Niort (omnisports hall).
Referees MM. Talineau and Jacquier.
Quart-temps 20-17, 12-19, 20-13,17-25.
Half time 32-37
AS Niort The markers: Bondron (1), Moretto (8), Cellerier (7), Lheriau (6), Lamasset, Lambinet (7), Debache (20), Louves, Cluysen (18), Bondondet (-).
BB Marmande The markers: Gendrey (13), Pellure (10), Chabi (2), Couzigou (11), Demont, Obiejesi (16), Seck (12), Bekoule Ekambi (5), Lhorlie (6).
Before the match, Laurent Hay had warned: for the last of the year this Saturday, December 14, which marked their elimination on 5e round of the Coupe de France Trophy, its players were going to come up against some very solid players in the person of the leader of their group B of Nationale 2. Proof of this expected solidity on the Marmande side, Seck made his entry size speak for himself in the racket, putting his in good orbit (2-8, 2e). Feeling that the start was a little disappointing, Laurent Hay took a first time out… which woke up his troops.
And especially Yassin Debache. Unleashed, the Niort pivot flew through this first quarter, scoring 12 points and dominating, above all, his counterparts in the physical impact, even offering counterattacks in defense. Supported by Moretto on three points, he allowed Niort to take control again 2’30 from time, before Obiejesie equalized. At least, it was without counting on Clusyen who, at the buzzer, adjusted the sights on a winning shot to set the tone for a meeting in line with expectations (20-17).
Niort late for the break
This Niort spiral did not extend into the second quarter. Less precise, the Ducks saw the rebounds escape them and the board was very capricious when it came time to get their baskets. As consistent as ever, Seck continued his work of undermining the racket to put the BBM in front (27-37, 18e).
Moretto made a three-point basket almost out of nowhere, but Gilles Versier’s men found a little more solutions. But by wasting several rounds on free throws, they only returned to the locker room with a lead of five lengths (32-37) which kept the suspense intact. Back on the floor, Debache and Lambinet, with a furious dunk, woke up Barra (36-38). Well into their meeting, the Deux-Sévriens came up against a long-distance skill found on the Marmande side, as evidenced by these baskets from Couzigou and Pellure (40-48) which Debache’s multiple counterattacks did not allow them to avoid.
The latter, as a symbol finally, equalized three minutes from the end of this third quarter (48-48). Cellerier stood out at this moment: silent until now, he first scored a free throw before doing it again at three points, to put Niort in front with ten minutes to play (52-50).
Decisive last quarter
The final act, inevitably, was the one that would decide the fate of the meeting. And in this little game, the most “clinical” training would succeed. At three points, Lheriau launched hostilities for ASN. But Obiejesie, also on three points, took advantage of an additional error to place the BBM five lengths in front, with seven minutes to play. And when Seck, two minutes later, increased this gap to +7, the affair seemed to be off to a bad start for the Ducks who were weakening at the worst times: the passes were less precise, the rebounds missed and the free throws too uncertain.
Obiejesie, the executioner of the evening, “stung” again with a devastating three points which sealed the score of a match finally finished with a score of 69-75, despite a final surge from the Niortais. Infuriating for the ASN, which did not do poorly before finally faltering in the face of the regularity of the visitors.
