Strasbourg travels well. SIG got off to a good start in the group stage of the Champions League (BCL) on Tuesday in Oldenburg, Germany, and won (85-83) for the fourth time in a row away from home in the event (taking into account the qualifying phase, contested last month in Turkey).
The Alsatians, however, had to fight to overcome the German team after overtime, while they were trailing by five points (83-78) two minutes from the end.
Léo Cavalière (15 points), to go ahead, then Phil Booth (15 points) made crucial shots in the last minute, which completed a very good 23 out of 26 collective on the line. Booth also scored the equalizer two seconds from the end of regulation time (75-75).
Cholet from +19 to -20
After an average start in Betclic Elite (12th after seven days), Le Mans reacted in style on Tuesday in Antarès (96-68) against Peristeri (Greece). This river gap could be important in a group of four from which the first three will emerge. The Sarthois led well at the break (57-39) and dominated from start to finish, with 18 points from playmaker DeVante’ Jones.
Third French club in the running on Tuesday, while waiting for Dijon on Wednesday against Vilnius (Lithuania), Cholet conceded a heavy defeat (95-75) to Tenerife (Spain) by completely collapsing in the last quarter.
TJ Campbell’s teammates had started perfectly, leading by nineteen points in the first half (34-15) before losing ground for the first time (43-41 at the break). But they were still in the game at the end of the third quarter (66-59). The gap widened in particular thanks to Tenerife’s Finnish shooter Sasu Salin, who shot 8 of 9 from three points, a rare performance, and did not take a single two-point shot in 21 minutes on the floor.
Small consolation for the Mauges team, the great hope Tidjane Salaün (18 years old) once again made a good impression with 15 points, 6 out of 11 on shots. He finished top scorer for his team, with Gerry Blakes (15 points).
