Disciplined and altruistic, the visitors scored on their first five possessions with four different players, when Elan was already in trouble with the only 3 points from Pinault to compensate (3-11, 3e). The Palois already have to deal with the injury exit of Kevin Marsillon, victim of a blow to the face (3e).
It doesn't smell good, but Bastien Pinault, on a big night, will take care of everything. The rear does it again, insists and makes the Palace rise on its 4e success at 3 pts without failure, the one which puts Elan in the lead (12-11, 5e).
As in a dream, Pinault continued his recital to sign a 12-0 single-handedly before the support of Missonnier (19-11, 6e). On the other side, they defend very hard, the Palois are on all the passing lines, the BBD no longer sees the light until Ville's outside basket (23-14, 9e) which ends an incredible 20-0.
QT 2 : Pau – Boulazac 43-44 (17-27)
Marsillon signs his return with a strong basket (28-17, 11e) at the start of the quarter interrupted by mistakes and a passage by Boulazac in zone defense. The seemingly perfect moment to see Bastien Pinault again. In the meantime, it's Boulazac who gets back on track behind the 6.75m, which forces Mickaël Hay to take his first time-out (28-23, 13e).
The momentum is clearly Périgord (30-27, 15e), the Palois will have to find a plan B while thwarting increasingly baroque whistles. This plan involves real defensive efforts and aggressiveness that ends at the line of throws (39-33, 17e).
Boulazac didn't lose the thread and pulled it together (41-38) then took control in the last minute (43-44) thanks to a triple three-point shot (9 out of 13 at the break).
QT 3 : Pau – Boulazac 66-67 (23-23)
The visitors increased their defensive intensity by several notches, aggressive very high on the Pau carrier. Elan holds up the shock by intelligently feeding Marsillon who is unfortunately the first Béarnais to make three mistakes (47-49, 23rd). Elan is on the tightrope (51-55, 24th), bends, but always finds the solution to stay in contact, like this gutsy 3-pointer from Walter Whyte (56-56, 26th) or both fired in the corner by Gaylor Curier to regain the lead (64-61, 28th) while Boulazac did not let up in the exercise (64-67, 29th). The duel is bitter, indecisive and of a very good level.
QT 4 : Pau – Boulazac 89-87 (23-20)
A very aerial alley-hoop between Missonnier and Sitraka followed by a 3-pointer from a very high temperature Curier on both sides of the floor ideally launches this last round (71-67, 31st; 73-70, 33rd). The duel between Currier and Cassier from the parking lot is worthy of a competition. It allows the BBD to lead 76-77 with 4 minutes remaining. Time to see Bastien Pinault free himself from the opposing handcuffs (81-79, 38th) to compete with Cassier who is now 5 out of 6 at 3 points (81-82, 38th)!
The Palois do not panic and thanks to Whyte and Marsillon are again in the lead by one point (85-84) with 1'10 remaining then by four after a huge 3 points from Whyte (88-84, 45 seconds of the end). Short-term relief: Suka Umu sends a pellet on her turn (88-87) at 20 seconds. After 1 of 2 from Whyte on the line, the BBD, led 89-87, had 15 seconds to save its match. Krubally attacks the circle but Sitrake watches over the grain and counters the buzzer shot from the inside to deliver the Palace. Thank you gentlemen!
