> The essential
Facing the undefeated leader, the Cugnaleses played evenly for 34 minutes before cracking under the main effect of fatigue. The eight-point loss is too heavy to reflect their resilience in a game where both teams defended with great intensity.
> The encounter
Cottavoz and Papin put the locals in confidence (4-0, 1st). Gimont reacted (4-7, 4th; 8-12, 6th) but Cugnaux managed to serve Dambrun under the circle as soon as Conduché was rested on the bench. The counters are reset to zero (15-15, 10th). The mano à mano, sometimes in the etymological sense of hand-to-hand combat, will last a long time. Gimont scores 3 points (20-25, 15th), prevents Lebouc from doing so, but lets Papin and Bacconnier shine (27-29, 20th).
On resumption, while the two teams struggled to adjust their sights in a room usually reserved for archery, the suspense remained. Gimont escapes (27-34, 23rd). Papin, Cottavoz and Héraud score and counter (35-34, 27th). Gimont, without scoring them all, puts on a few free throws (37-38, 30th). Bacconnier equalizes on the counter-attack (41-41, 33′). Delaplace (the best Gersoise yesterday with a 3-point basket per quarter, two offensive rebounds in the “money-time” and an impeccable defense) puts on his 4th 3-point (41-44). Cottavoz causes a foul. His close free throws (43-44, 34th) will be the last of the match. Portal carries the thrust (43-51, 38th). Gimont won with a big sigh of relief and without joy at the final buzzer.
> She said
Loriane Verain (Cugnaux trainer): “I would like to congratulate my group. We started the season with three players who did not know the division, others who had just returned from maternity. I think we are having a very good season. The way we made Gimont doubt today bears witness to that.”
