Back to the wall after their five defeats in a row, the Portelois decide to take the game on their own, printing hardness from the start in defense and, to avoid stumbling on the Alsatian wall, take the option of long-distance shots to feed the mark. The two teams are neck and neck in the first quarter, Mangin, successful in shooting from far and near (11 points in this quarter), carries his team (26-23, 10th).
Defensive intensity and shooting skill
The SIG manages to widen the gap on several occasions but, each time, the men of the Côte d’Opale are making the necessary efforts to return, forcing Strasbourg to take forced shots (46-40, 20′).
When they return from the locker room, Éric Girard’s players will again raise their defensive intensity a notch and above all benefit again and again from a good long-range shooting skill (12 out of 18 in the end). Two winners signed by Mangin and Wojciechowski bring Le Portel back to the top of the GIS (46-46) and it’s the visitors’ turn to get their hands on the game. Defensive stops and several award-winning baskets allow the men of Hauts-de-France to take the lead and make a gap (67-71, 35′). The Alsatians can’t do it anymore, are struggling to convert their possessions, sell their shots. The Portelois feel the good shot, throw themselves on all the balls and snatch an important victory. A success that gives hope in the fight to maintain.
The game :
STRASBOURG – THE PORTAL
: 79 – 82 (26-23 ; 20-17 ; 14-20 ; 19-22).
Referees: Messrs. Dubois, Bardera and Mrs. Coanus.
STRASBOURG: Roberson 10, Cavalière 8, Morin 4, Bohacik 10, Maille 18, Udanoh 10, Taylor 3, Lansdowne 4, Mitchell 12, Curier.
THE PORTAL
: Abouo 14, Hifi 9, Mangin 16, Olujobi 2, Yarou 11, Ngouama 12, Jones, Passave-Ducteil 8, Wojciechowski 10.