L’Elan Béarnais Dominates Orléans in Pro B Semi-Final: A Turning Point for Béarn
PAU, France — In a game that defied expectations, L’Elan Béarnais delivered a stunning 90-72 victory over Orléans in the first leg of their Pro B semi-final series on Tuesday night at the Palais des Sports de Pau. The home team, playing in front of a raucous crowd of 5,200 fans, turned a closely contested match into a rout in the final 10 minutes, securing a commanding lead as they head into the return leg at Orléans on Saturday.
Orléans, who had pushed Béarn hard in the first half, appeared to be in control at one point with a 12-point lead in the third quarter. But a relentless Béarn bench, led by rookie sensation Mathis Mouyesse, outscored Orléans 28-17 in the final 10 minutes to seal the win. The victory marks a significant statement for a Béarn team that had struggled with consistency earlier in the season.
How Béarn Turned the Tide: Three Key Moments
The game was never out of reach for Orléans, but three pivotal sequences shifted the momentum decisively in Pau’s favor:
- 10:30 (local) — The Bench Awakens With Orléans leading 68-65, Béarn’s bench players—led by Mouyesse (18 points) and Thomas Diarra (14 points)—went on a 12-2 run to take the lead. Mouyesse, who had been held to 10 points in the first half, drained two three-pointers in 30 seconds to spark the surge.
- 12:45 (local) — Orléans’ Collapse Orléans’ defense, which had held Béarn’s star player Victor Wembanyama (22 points, 12 rebounds) to 3-of-10 shooting in the third quarter, suddenly lost its footing. Wembanyama—who had been limited to just 8 points in the first 36 minutes—finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds, including a game-sealing dunk with 2:30 remaining.
- 14:10 (local) — The Final Whistle With Orléans trailing 88-72, head coach Vincent Collet called a timeout to regroup. But Béarn’s defense held firm, and Orléans’ final possession ended in a turnover, sealing the victory. The crowd erupted as Wembanyama was mobbed by teammates, celebrating a win that puts Béarn in pole position for the series.
Player of the Game: Victor Wembanyama’s Late Burst
While Orléans’ Niccolo Campagna (24 points, 8 rebounds) led the scoring, it was Wembanyama who carried Béarn to victory. His late-game efficiency—after a slow start—was the difference:
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | L’Elan Béarnais | 22 | 12 | 3 | 50% |
| Mathis Mouyesse | L’Elan Béarnais | 18 | 4 | 2 | 45% |
| Niccolo Campagna | Orléans | 24 | 8 | 4 | 48% |
| Thomas Diarra | L’Elan Béarnais | 14 | 6 | 1 | 58% |
Note: Wembanyama’s efficiency in the second half (10-of-20 FG) contrasted sharply with his struggles early, where he was held to 2-of-10 shooting. “He was invisible for 30 minutes, but when he found his rhythm, it was game over,” said Béarn assistant coach Fabien Causse.
Why Orléans Struggled: Three Tactical Missteps
Orléans, who had dominated Béarn in their regular-season meeting (89-78), made three critical errors that cost them the game:
- Over-Reliance on Campagna Orléans coach Jean-Marc Dupraz leaned heavily on Campagna, who attempted 18 shots—a career-high. Béarn’s defense, led by Adama Diarra, held him to just 5-of-12 from beyond the arc, a key weakness in his game.
- Poor Bench Management Orléans’ bench contributed only 12 points in the second half, a stark contrast to Béarn’s 28-point explosion. “We didn’t get enough out of our role players,” Dupraz admitted post-game. “When the game got tight, we didn’t have the depth to answer.”
- Failure to Adjust to Wembanyama’s Late Surge Orléans spent the first 36 minutes trying to contain Wembanyama with a double-team, but once he found his stroke, they failed to switch defenses effectively. Béarn’s pick-and-roll with Mouyesse became unstoppable in the final quarter.
Series Implications: Béarn’s Path to the Final
The 90-72 victory gives Béarn a significant home-court advantage for the return leg on Saturday at 20:00 UTC (22:00 local time). Here’s what to watch:
- Orléans’ Response Dupraz has indicated Orléans will make changes, including more spacing to prevent Béarn’s pick-and-rolls. “We’ll attack differently,” he said. “No more isolation plays for Campagna.”
- Béarn’s Momentum The win could spark a late-season surge for Béarn, who had lost three of their last five before the semi-finals. “Here’s a huge confidence boost,” said Collet. “The guys know they can win big games now.”
- Playoff Picture A Béarn victory would mean Orléans would need to win both games to advance—a tall order. If Béarn wins again, they’ll face Cholet Basket or Limoges CSP in the final, depending on the other semi-final outcome.
Bigger Picture: Béarn’s Season and Pro B’s Playoff Race
This win comes at a pivotal moment for Béarn, who entered the playoffs with a 22-12 record. Their regular-season performance had been inconsistent, but the semi-final run has reignited hopes of a title challenge. Meanwhile, Orléans—who finished the regular season with a 24-10 record—now faces the pressure of needing to overcome a 18-point deficit.
Key Context:
- Béarn’s last playoff appearance was in 2022, when they lost in the quarterfinals to Nanterre 92.
- Orléans has never won a Pro B championship but has reached the semifinals three times in the last five years.
- The Palais des Sports de Pau, with its 6,000-seat capacity, is one of the most electric venues in French basketball.
Your Questions Answered
What time is the return leg, and where can I watch it?
The return leg is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, at 20:00 UTC (22:00 local time) at Orléans Arena. In the U.S., it will air on Eurosport (check local listings) or stream live on Fédération Française de Basket‘s official platform.
How does the Pro B playoff format work?
Pro B playoffs are a best-of-three series. The team with the best regular-season record hosts Game 1. If the series goes to a third game, it’s held at a neutral venue. Béarn’s 22-12 record gives them home-court advantage in this series.
Who are the key players to watch in the return leg?
- Victor Wembanyama (Béarn) – His late-game efficiency will be crucial if Orléans focuses on containing him early.
- Niccolo Campagna (Orléans) – If he can shoot better from three, Orléans has a chance to compete.
- Mathis Mouyesse (Béarn) – His bench scoring was the difference in Game 1.
Three Takeaways from the Game
- Béarn’s bench is the x-factor. Without their role players, they wouldn’t have won. Orléans must find a way to neutralize them in Game 2.
- Wembanyama’s late-game efficiency is a weapon. If Orléans can’t stop him in the fourth quarter, Béarn will likely win the series.
- Orléans’ over-reliance on Campagna backfired. A more balanced attack could be the key to their survival.
