The Union controls Toulouse to remove the Occitan derby
Union Tarbes Lourdes 67-Toulouse BC 54
In Tarbes, quai de l’Adour. Referees: Dall’Osto Yohann and Bouchabou Boris.
MT 26-31. QT: 8-22,18-9-, 29-16-, 12-7.
Union Tarbes Lourdes: 22/55 shots including 7/21 3 points, 16/18 throws, 44 rebounds including 10 offensives, 21 assists, 13 stray balls, 10 steals, 3 blocks, 19 personal faults.
Had played : Pharose 6, Lesca, 5, Nikolic 11; Manuel 14, Lobela 21; then Jubenot -, Incredule (cap) 6 ,, Nnah Ndong 4. Trainer: Ch. Chougaz, assistant: V. Yedra.
Toulouse: 22/64 shots including 5/27 3 points, 5/12 throws, 35 rebounds including 12 offensives, 11 assists, 13 stray balls, 7 steals, 2 blocks, 18 personal fouls.
Had played : Anderson 13, Yao-Delon 7, Thimon 12, Aygaleng 3, Sahraoui 9, Kpuyate 4, then Mopsus -, Gottin -, Yangue-Tankeu 2, Solle 4.
Trainer: S. Dao, assistant: P. Lacan
A new challenge awaits the Union with the Occitanie derby against Toulouse BC, that is to say the fourth in the table, after having fought successively against Vitré, the 3rd, Challans 6th, and Rueil leader before surrendering; Friday in Angers, the other co-host to date!
All the more complicated for the Union Tarbes Lourdes as the training has seen, in recent days, its infirmary welcome three of its players: Prugniers and Morel who did not set foot on the floor last night.
As often it is a former U’Boy who opens the brand, in this case Thimon. A series of four Toulouse baskets follows (0-8, 4th).
Lesca unlocks, finally the unionist counter in the 4th.
The local throws avoid seeing the gap widen (5-12, 6th) because the baskets are scarce and the assistance admires the dunk of Pharose while opposite Yao Delon hurts the U’Boys.
It was finally Thimon who closed the first act with a shot that won the Toulouse well in front: 8-22.
However, the locals do not abdicate, far from it since their fighting spirit allows them to prevent visitors from registering any basket for five minutes!
Lobella, then Incredule, by two consecutive missiles, the mark, 24-26, 18th.
Nice reaction from the “bulls” Thimon and Sahraoui to register two award-winning shots and here is the break reached in favor of the visitors, 26-31.
During this first period, the rebounds are practically balanced, 25 to 23 for the Union, better evaluation for Lobela, side U’Boys and Thimon among the visitors.
Upon resumption, the Bigourdans persist in the good game.
Lobela equalizes then puts his team in front for the first time at 39-38, 25th. And here are the scuds of Manuel (48-42, 27th) for 8 lengths in advance before the final buzzer, 55-47 … the Bigourdans will have to hold out.
Better since they continue their forced march with an Imperial Lobela, a 3-point blaster Manual and Nikolich dunker!
Mass is said for a victory for a solid and determined Tarbes Lourdes at the expense of a valiant Toulouse BC but a bit short.