Malcolm Cazalon scored 21 points to lead Cholet Basket to an 81-75 victory over Saint-Quentin at the Palais des Sports Pierre Ratte on Saturday.
The win marks a return to form for Cholet in the Betclic ELITE following two consecutive losses.
Cholet maintained control for much of the contest, though the team faced a late surge from the hosts.
Cazalon, the former Detroit Pistons player, finished the night shooting 8-of-13 from the floor. His performance was particularly vital after teammate Aaron Towo-Nansi encountered early foul trouble, forcing the coaching staff to adjust their rotation throughout the first half.
The game also marked the return of Cholet captain Miralem Halilovic, who saw his first action in five weeks. His presence provided an immediate impact in the paint, including a key block on Saint-Quentin’s Ousman Krubally.
Cholet built an early cushion by capitalizing on Saint-Quentin’s shooting struggles. The hosts hit only 3-of-11 shots in the opening quarter, allowing Cholet to establish a 21-12 lead. While Saint-Quentin trimmed the deficit to 35-32 by halftime behind 14 points from Erick Neal, the visitors regained momentum after the break.
The third quarter saw Cholet break the game open through perimeter shooting. Mohamed Diarra hit consecutive three-pointers, with Noah Locke and JeQuan Lewis also contributing from beyond the arc. This offensive run pushed the lead to 21 points at 75-54 with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Saint-Quentin responded with a late rally fueled by Ousman Krubally, who finished with 17 points. A three-pointer from Axel Toupane narrowed the gap to 76-70 with one minute left on the clock. Cholet managed the final possessions effectively, with Towo-Nansi demonstrating composure to secure the six-point margin.
Despite the late-game turnover issues, Cholet’s ability to withstand the pressure proved decisive.
Cholet will host Boulazac at La Meilleraie on November 21, 2026.
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