nabeulien Clinches Fifth Straight Win in Thrilling Showdown with US Ansar
Nabeul, Tunisia – The Nabeulien faithful are on cloud nine after their beloved stade Nabeulien secured their fifth consecutive victory in the Tunisian Basketball League, fending off a spirited challenge from US Ansar on the sixth day of the championship. This hard-fought 67-60 win, however, wasn’t without its nail-biting moments, leaving the Ansarian supporters with a collective case of the jitters.
From the opening tip-off, it was clear Stade Nabeulien was ready to assert dominance. They exploded out of the gate, building a commanding 20-9 lead in the early stages. The home team, fueled by the stellar play of Marouki, Lejmi, Ben Gabsia, and Mechmech, dictated the tempo, pushing their advantage to a staggering 17 points at 29-12 by the 12th minute. It felt like a potential blowout in the making, reminiscent of a dominant performance in, say, an NBA game where a team hits its stride early.
But US Ansar, under the guidance of coach Riadh Ben Abdallah, proved they have the grit of a seasoned contender. They refused to fold, mounting a significant comeback to narrow the deficit to just seven points by halftime, 34-27. This resurgence was a testament to their resilience, a characteristic that frequently enough defines prosperous teams in any sport.
The second half saw fatigue begin to creep in, and with it, a dip in lucidity for the Nabeulien squad. Missed shots opened the door for US Ansar, who capitalized on the opportunities to claw back into the game, reducing the deficit to a mere 51-46. The momentum had clearly shifted, and the tension in the Bir Chellouf Hall was palpable.
The final quarter transformed into a true slugfest.Both teams found their defenses tested, with the game becoming a back-and-forth affair. However, Stade Nabeulien managed to hold their nerve, maintaining their lead on the scoreboard and ultimately securing the crucial 67-60 victory. This kind of clutch performance, where a team digs deep in the final minutes, is what separates good teams from grate ones.
In other action from HEN B:
* The JSK faced an uphill battle against a weakened ASH, who were hampered by the departures of Aissaoui and Gadour, ultimately finding it difficult to secure a win.
* US Monastir put in a strong performance against ES rades, taking the victory.
Tunisian Basketball League Standings
HEN A
* Gorjani Hall: African Club – DS Grombalia (82-63)
* Sousse Hall: ES sahel – JS Manazeh (90-86)
* Goulette Room: ES Goulette – BC Mahdia (82-71)
Ranking: Pts J
- C. African: 12 6
- ES Sahel: 11 6
- JS Manazeh: 9 6
- ES Goulette: 8 6
- DS Grombalia: 7 6
- CSB Mahdia: 7 6
HEN B
* Hammamet Hall: AS Hammamet – JS Kairouanaise (51-54)
* Radès-Bouhima Room: ES Rades – US Monastir (60-71)
* Bir Chellouf Room: S. Nabeulien – US Ansar (67-60)
Ranking: Pts J
- US Monastir: 11 6
- S Nabeulien: 11 6
- JS kairouan: 11 6
- ES Radès: 8 6
- AS Hammamet: 7 6
- US Ansar: 6 6
By Kamel BOUAOUINA
Photos by Berrazagua
