Boulogne-Levallois lost first place in Betclic Elite on Tuesday after losing to Cholet (93-87) on the 32nd day of the regular season. The Ile-de-France are now overtaken by Asvel (which plays Wednesday at Gravelines-Dunkirk) and Monaco (whose trip to Limoges has been postponed to May 14, due to its Euroleague match on Wednesday against Olympiakos).
Roanne winner and maintained at the buzzer
Cholet had got off to a good start, leading 23-14 after the first quarter. But Boulogne-Levallois had managed to pick up a point (70-69), at the end of the third. And the Choletais finally secured their victory at the very end of the game. With 22 points, Dominic Artis carried the Mauges team.
Will Cummings (26 pts) and Vincent Hunter (21) were the most prominent for the Ile-de-France, who now risk no longer finishing the regular season in the first two places, those which ensure the advantage of the field at least until the semi-finals. Cholet, with his victory, can still hope for a place in the play-offs.
By beating Strasbourg (90-87), Roanne ensured its maintenance in Betclic Elite. The Choir got scared. After a well-negotiated first quarter (31-18), she conceded, on returning from the locker room, a terrible 32-13, which allowed the Alsatians to lead in the score. Roanne finally won at the buzzer on a three-point shot from Loren Jackson. He and Johnny Berhanemeskel each scored 21 points for the Chorale.
Fos-sur-Mer hopes, Orléans under threat
Fos-sur-Mer can hope for an outcome as happy as that of Roanne. The Provençal team, penultimate in the standings and very close to Pro B in the event of defeat on Tuesday, finally won at Bourg-en-Bresse (96-85), after an excellent first period (61-35 ). Deishuan Booker scored 29 points for Fos. With a view to maintaining, Le Portel also managed a great operation, winning at Le Mans (83-82).
Orleans remained on an important victory against Paris, last Sunday. But the Loiret team, also concerned by the maintenance, did not confirm, against Pau-Lacq-Orthez, losing (76-69). The Palois, recent winners of the Coupe de France, have suddenly put an end to a series of five consecutive defeats and can still believe in the play-offs.
Relegated to Pro B since Sunday, Châlons-Reims however stopped their series of 12 consecutive losses, by correcting Paris Basketball (109-77). The Parisians, in the event of victory, would have ensured their maintenance. Finally Dijon won at Nanterre (88-79), thanks to Chase Simon (21 pts) and Rashard Kelly (20). The victory of Cholet, however, did not allow the Burgundians to qualify for the play-offs. This may be the case next Tuesday, the date of the 33rd and penultimate day of the regular season.
