Le CEP Lorient opened its NM1 campaign with a 82-73 victory against newly promoted Laval on Friday, September 18, at an attendance of 1,100 spectators.
Early Dominance and First-Half Control
Lorient set an aggressive tone from the opening tip-off, suffocating the visitors’ offense and converting turnovers into fast-break opportunities. Records show the hosts raced to a 19-8 lead by the seventh minute, capitalizing on defensive intensity under head coach T. Le Roux. Laval struggled to find an offensive rhythm early, but steady play in the second quarter allowed the Mayennais side to anchor themselves in the contest. At halftime, Lorient maintained a comfortable 42-29 advantage.
Laval Claws Back Behind Hartwell’s Surge
The momentum shifted dramatically after the intermission as Laval mounted a fierce challenge. According to match accounts, Laval tore into the deficit during the third quarter, fueled by Hartwell, who poured in 18 points during that period alone.
Money-Time Tension and Franceschi’s Answer
As the clock wound down, the atmosphere in the gym grew palpable. A decisive three-pointer from Njiba ultimately broke Laval’s resistance, sealing the 82-73 result and securing Lorient’s first win of the season in the dying stages.
Match Statistics and Key Contributors
Refereeing duties for the fixture were managed by I. Schmidt and O. Le Lan. The quarter-by-quarter scoring breakdown highlights the stark momentum shifts: 23-13, 19-15 for the first half, followed by a 22-29 third quarter in favor of the visitors and an 18-15 closing frame for Lorient.
Lorient’s starting five featured Njiba (8 points), Choplin (11), Franceschi (19), Sclear (13), and Okereke (4). Contributions off the bench included Maury (11) and Queta (13), alongside Bassoumba (1), Matundu Vubi (2), while Robin did not score.
For Laval, guided by coach S. Cartier, the starting lineup was spearheaded by Hartwell with a game-high 20 points and Racine with 18. Grégoire added 14 points, Belkessa contributed 12, and Abdulsalam chipped in 5. The visitors’ bench saw productive minutes from Nagau-Trouard (8) and Perazza (4), alongside Nsimba (2), Gélu, and Le Carrer.
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