Fallers from Cholet and Dijon in the past two weeks, the Bressans have failed to extend their good series in the league. They lost to Pau on Saturday evening during the 19th day (73-83).
Deprived of Pierre Pelos, CJ Harris (Covid) and Eric Mika (wrist), the JL Bourg started the meeting well. She took control thanks to an energetic defense, but also to the clumsiness of Pau (6 stray bullets and 3/13 shooting in the first 10 minutes).
JL Bourg was up to 13 points ahead
The Bressans relied on a burning Alexandre Chassang (15 pts in the first quarter) to create the first gap (28-15, 10th).
Thirteen points ahead… that the Béarnais filled in 6 minutes at the start of the second quarter under the impetus of Gregor Hrovat (30-30, 16th).
Convincing in sequence but guilty of incomprehensible absences, JL Bourg kept the advantage at half-time despite a three-point buzzer from Dominique Archie (39-38, 20th).
Rasheed Sulaimon injured in the hip
Usually so precious, Rasheed Sulaimon (3pts), diminished by a hip injury, was not in the game. Pau and Hrovat (20 points at 6/7) took the opportunity to give themselves some air in the third quarter (45-54, 25th). Bourg had not, however, said his last word. Accurate at three points, Maxime Courby and Hugo Benitez gave hope to the Aindinois (56-56, 29th).
What offer a new unbreathable end to the match at Ekinox? Not really… Invisible until then, Brandon Jefferson came out of his box at the best time for the Palois. The latter definitely took off against too rough Burgians (62-79, 35th).
JL Bourg finally lost 10 points (73-83), lost the point-average on their opponent and moved away from the Top 8…