SLUC Nancy secured an 87-93 victory against Alliance Sport Alsace on November 1, 2026, advancing to the third round of the Coupe de France. The top-flight club needed over a quarter of an hour to take the fixture at Gries seriously, falling behind 50-30 at the 15-minute mark before staging a comeback.
Overcoming a Division Differential Deficit
Alliance Sport Alsace entered the fixture with an initial seven-point advantage linked to the division differential between the clubs. Powered by Russell Jones—who recorded 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting alongside 8 assists—the home side dominated the early phases. By the 15th minute, the host advantage stretched to 50-30, threatening to add Nancy to a growing list of Betclic ÉLITE clubs eliminated in the second round.
Roanne, Boulazac, and Gravelines-Dunkerque had already exited the competition. Unwilling to follow their domestic rivals out of the tournament, Sylvain Lautié’s squad gradually chipped away at the margin. Nancy tightened its defensive intensity and turned the tide during a pivotal sequence at the end of the third quarter, transforming a 68-56 deficit into a narrow 70-68 edge.
Frontcourt Dominance in the Money-Time
Experience and physical control inside the paint carried the visitors through the closing minutes. Stéphane Gombauld led the interior effort with 24 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 5 rebounds, while teammate Isaiah Cozart anchored the glass with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Across the floor, Nancy shot 50 percent from the field overall compared to Alliance Sport Alsace’s 40.6 percent, eventually establishing a 40-to-30 rebounding advantage.
The comeback arrived just days after Nancy secured a notable league victory over Dijon. That momentum carried into Alsace once the team found its competitive rhythm, neutralizing Jones’ playmaking and exploiting second-chance opportunities generated by 13 offensive rebounds.
Challans Awaits in the Third Round
With the win secured, Nancy advances to face Challans in the third round of the Coupe de France masculine. The exact date for the fixture remains to be determined. Meanwhile, tournament action continues, with Blois scheduled to host Denain in a matchup to kick off the next phase of fixtures.
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