Basket/Betclic Elite. Monaco still too strong for Élan Béarnais
Without ever being put in danger, Monaco thus scored a second success with almost as much ease as the first evening (94-65 Thursday), even if the margin is narrower in the end. Seeing the Monegasques dominate the Palois twice in 72 hours is ultimately a surprise for no one.
Stunning Bacon
Their sufficiency against Strasbourg, in the quarters, had led to believe that there was a fault, but it referred under the feet of Pau who can now fear a “sweep”, an elimination in three dry sets.
An outcome that will be difficult to avoid if Vitalis Chikoko, increasingly limited by his arch pain (9 minutes and only 2 points for the pivot this Saturday), cannot lend a hand to an interior sector that appeared in total pain over the two games and which, yesterday, allowed the Monegasques to grab 20 rebounds under their circle, more than one in two balls put into play.
“There was better, we corrected things, especially in the attitude which was better, but the result is the same and 20 offensive rebounds taken by Monaco, it’s just enormous”, agreed Éric Bartecheky. Pau, however, displayed more and more determination in this second round, from the start, with a first quarter played eye to eye with the Roca Team thanks to an inspired Gregor Hrovat (22-20).
“At -18, we tried everything and shot to try to come back as quickly as possible”
It was after that it went wrong. The cause ? The quality and length of the Principality’s workforce. When Yakuba Ouattara comes out, there is always Alpha Diallo for the spin-dryer Brandon Jefferson. When Mike James joined the bench, it was Léo Westermann who set the pace. When Fall Faye has finished cleaning the two Plexiglas®, it’s Will Thomas who imposes his big physique. And when it takes a stint in scoring, it’s Dwayne Bacon who comes off the bench to break down the defense and sign big shots. Almost alone, the former NBAer would stun the Palois in the second quarter and allow ASM to return to the locker room with an 11-point lead (46-35).
Oniangue’s gust
Back on the floor, the Monegasques pushed the sliders a little more, especially on the rebound, which gave them an 18-point lead (61-43, 30e) and the prospect of a quiet end to the game. Perspective troubled by a series of 3-point shots from Giovan Oniangue. A flurry that revived the Moose (69-59) and the tireless Justin Bibbins even brought it down to -6 (71-65) with three minutes left on the clock.
“At -18, we tried everything and shot to try to come back as quickly as possible, but Monaco’s big roster made the difference”, noted Giovan Oniangue. A balance of power which will be difficult to reverse as the semi-final continues on Tuesday June 7 on the floor of the Palais des Sports in Pau.