As the two teams faced off for the fourth time this season, Monaco confirmed their dominance over Le Mans by winning the closing clash of the 24th day of Betclic Elite.
Monaco has been a thorn in Le Mans’ side this season. Victorious over MSB this season in the SuperCup final and the Leaders Cup final as well as in the first leg of the championship, the “Roca Team” solidified their advantage over the Sarthoise team in the closing match of the 24th day of Betclic Elite. While the Manceaux struck first with a three-point shot by Travante Williams (12 points), it was the players from Monaco who quickly took the lead. A 14-2 run allowed them to surpass a ten-point lead before finishing the first quarter with a ten-point cushion thanks to a basket by Juhann Begarin (12 points).
Monaco showed little sign of weakness
Although the start of the second quarter saw Le Mans reduce their deficit to two possessions, the Monégasques increased their intensity on their home court at the Salle Gaston-Médecin. Terry Tarpey scored his only basket of the night to extend their lead to 17 points just over three minutes before halftime. Ending strong, the “Roca Team” reached halftime with a 19-point lead through Nemanja Nadovic’s long-distance shot (13 points, 7 assists). The lead went beyond 20 points early in the third quarter after a 7-0 run finished by Matthew Strazel (17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists). From there, both teams traded blows as the coaching staff of the “Roca Team” introduced Maxim Klitschko, son of former boxer and current mayor of Kiev Vitali Klitschko.
Okobo lost his temper
Monaco entered the final ten minutes with a comfortable lead. The last quarter started off heated as Elie Okobo (15 points, 5 assists) clashed with Ugo Doumbia, resulting in the Monégasque point guard being ejected. Despite Le Mans’ efforts to narrow the deficit to under ten points, Monaco managed to regain their composure and secure a fourteen-point victory (99-85), their 20th of the season. MSB, on the other hand, drops out of the Top 6 after this second loss in three games. Most importantly, Monaco maintains their advantage over Sarthois before their fifth meeting of the season in the French Cup final on April 25 at the Accor Arena in Paris-Bercy.
