The JDA Dijon basketball team saw its undefeated run in the Betclic Élite come to a halt on Friday night at a packed Palais des Sports, falling 94-108 to the SLUC Nancy in the sixth round of the regular season. The squad would surely have preferred to arrive in the Mauges in Cholet next Saturday for their first major test of the campaign carrying a 6-0 record, but that will not happen.
Early Lead Slips Away as Nancy Rallies After Halftime
Playing in front of a capacity crowd, the home side opened the contest in strong fashion by exploiting their interior game. Justin Bibbins delivered a series of assists, Shevon Thompson punished the Sluc’s paint, and the sold-out arena thoroughly enjoyed the action as Dijon seized a 13-8 lead by the 4th minute. Dijon maintained a narrow 47-46 edge at halftime, though Mohammad Amini kept Nancy within striking distance through individual scoring efforts, aided by a JDA side failing to capitalize on its successful start while the Sluc remained hidden in the Jeanne’s shadow for a half before punishing their opponents in the second period.
Three-Point Shooting Pushes the Visitors Ahead
The momentum shifted decisively after the intermission. The SLUC found its offensive rhythm from beyond the arc, overwhelming the Dijon defense with accurate perimeter shooting. Despite continued efforts from Bibbins and a long-range shot by Taylor, the hosts struggled to contain the Lorrains’ scoring surge. Nancy accelerated further in the final quarter, extending their advantage to secure the 14-point victory.
Standout Performances Fuel the Road Victory
Taylor paced the Dijon attack with a combative display, featuring high-class individual moves and a deep shot, while Kregor Hermet added a spectacular dunk in the second quarter. However, Nancy’s depth and sharp outside shooting proved too much to overcome. The visitors capitalized on their second-half dominance to hand Vincent Dumestre’s squad its first loss of the campaign after five consecutive victories.
Quick Turnaround in the French Cup
With no time to dwell on the result, Dijon turns its attention to cup competition. The squad returns to the floor on Tuesday, November 3, to face the CSP Limoges in a French Cup fixture.
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