Poitiers Overcomes Sloppy Play to Edge Caen in Élite 2
Poitiers Basket 86 secured a 79-74 victory over Caen Basket Calvados on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Palais des Sports, extending their winning streak in a disjointed contest. The win marks the fourth victory across all competitions for the visitors, who capitalized on a strong second-half push and a late clutch basket to hold off a depleted home side.
A Scrappy First Half and the Cost of Missing Personnel
The match was characterized by persistent offensive mistakes, with the two sides combining for 41 total turnovers throughout the evening. Caen entered the contest severely shorthanded, playing without Lee Moore as well as the injured Antoine Rojewski. Reflecting on the resulting tactical strain, Caen coach Jean-Baptiste Lecrosnier noted after a previous outing that playing without a floor general inevitably upsets team control and creates structural imbalance. Despite the disjointed flow, Caen managed to stay within striking distance by halftime, trailing just 40-38 after Vladimir Ilic converted a four-point play following an offensive rebound off a missed free throw.
Isaac Guedegbe Leads Poitiers to a Comfortable Lead
Poitiers seized control after the intermission, using a 7-0 run to build a comfortable advantage and stretching their lead to 13 points at 65-52 early in the final period. Isaac Guedegbe spearheaded the visiting attack, finishing as the game’s top scorer for Poitiers with 18 points and an efficiency rating of 21, anchored by a flawless 5-of-5 performance from beyond the arc. Teammate Ivan Ramljak added further stability with 10 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in nearly 29 minutes of action, neutralizing Caen’s attempts to mount a sustainable comeback.
Imanol Prot Seals Victory Despite a Late Caen Surge
Caen refused to fold in front of its home supporters, clawing back into the game through the efforts of Kentan Facey—who led the hosts with 17 points—alongside contributions from Yoan Granvorka and Ilic. A late surge brought Caen within three points with just 23 seconds remaining on the clock. However, Poitiers maintained its composure in the money-time. Imanol Prot delivered a clutch basket inside the final minute to restore a five-pointer cushion and seal the 79-74 final scoreline.
Upcoming Fixtures in Poitou-Charentes
With the victory secured in Normandy, Andy Thornton-Jones and his Poitiers squad turn their attention toward a regional showdown. The team will return home to host La Rochelle for the Poitou-Charentes derby on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Arena Futuroscope.
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