Tours Métropole Basket secured a hard-fought 92-85 victory over Aurore Vitré on Tuesday, September 15, rallying from a double-digit deficit in the first tour of the Coupe de France. According to match reports from La Nouvelle République, the home side overcame a turbulent third quarter and a 14-point deficit before sealing the win in the game’s final minutes.
A Slow Start and a Spirited Battle in Tours
The opening night of official competition offered a frantic pace for both Nationale 1 clubs. Reporting from La Nouvelle République indicates that Tours established a narrow 25-23 lead by the end of the first quarter, relying on both set plays and transition baskets. However, defensive lapses plagued the hosts early on, allowing Vitré to stay within striking distance.
The visitors seized momentum in the second period, utilizing sharp outside shooting from Plaucoste and aggressive drives by Oger and Fanchini. At halftime, Vitré held a slim 52-50 advantage. Gédéon Dimoke led the scoring for Tours with 11 points in the first half, closely followed by teammate Jules Gibey with 10 points and Vitré’s Baptiste Oger with 10 points, according to court-side tracking.
Vitré’s Defensive Squeeze and the Third-Quarter Surge
The third quarter belonged entirely to the visitors from Brittany. La Nouvelle République documented how Vitré’s defensive pressure completely smothered the Tourangeau offense, limiting their ability to execute plays. Sparked by a stellar defensive effort from Oger—who bottled up Sissoko in the paint before hitting a three-pointer—Vitré strung together an 8-0 run.
By the end of the third period, Vitré had built a commanding 73-60 lead. The local side appeared stuck in an offensive rut, unable to cope with the disciplined defensive scheme deployed by the visiting team.
A Dramatic Fourth-Quarter Comeback
Facing a double-digit deficit, Tours shifted gears in the final ten minutes. Adel Alain sparked the comeback with a well-executed lay-up, setting the tone for a high-intensity period. Gibey and captain Siegwarth took control down the stretch, combining for crucial perimeter shots and driving scores.
Gibey struck repeatedly from beyond the arc, while Siegwarth added a vital “and-one” play with six minutes remaining to cut the deficit to 80-76. Inside the final moments, Sissoko muscled his way to the rim for a pivotal basket that pushed Tours ahead 85-83. Siegwarth and Gibey then sealed the 92-85 victory from the clutch possessions, extinguishing Vitré’s late resistance.
Looking Ahead to the Championship
Despite the elimination, Aurore Vitré head coach Fabien Calvez viewed the fixture pragmatically, describing the contest as a “good working match” for his squad as they prepare for the upcoming championship. Meanwhile, Tours advances to the next round of the Coupe de France, carrying vital momentum from their comeback win at Monconseil.
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