Still handicapped by the absence of their two foreigners, the ex-Carolomacerian Kalis Loyd (sprain) and Megan Huff, the Toulousaines, even decimated, first opened the scoring by Gueye before standing up to the Ardennes (9-4). If the FCBA had given the impression of waking up (12-4), Gueye, Brochant, Lambert and Strunc managed to deceive by playing eye to eye with Flames extinguished (12-9, 18-17). Rather satisfying and encouraged as a start given the hazards described above. In front of a dumbfounded public, Strunc and Belleka even gave the advantage to TMB (18-22, 20-24).

Until the Milic-Fraser tandem laboriously brought their partners out of their initial torpor (27-26, 29-29) to lead sparingly at the break: 31-29. The Pioneers with a success rate of 41.7% (10/24) and domination on the rebound (20 takes to 12) had done the job.

“It ended up falling on the other side”

On the restart, Gueye, Lambert and Strunc maintained the suspense to the point of making Charleville doubt (37-44, 42-48). Chevaugeon and Fraser then sounded the revolt (47-48) without disturbing Belleka and Strunc who kept the controls before the final packaging (48-56).

Gueye and Brochant remained on their cloud, increasing the score to lead by thirteen points (50-63). Boudera and Chevaugeon brought the Ardennes close (59-63, 64-64) just over two minutes from the end of the match. Ultimately after a final equalizer from Brochant and a one-point return via Strunc (71-70) Colley and Bouderra carried out the hold-up in their own room (74-70).

“Like many games since the start of the season, we are very close to taking it but it ends up falling on the other side. match based on pressure alone. It’s a shame once again” concluded Xavier Noguera.

Toulouse Métropole Basket therefore remains stuck at the end of the table at the end of the first leg, pointing to the penultimate place, only ahead of Landerneau. A new perilous trip awaits Xavier Noguera’s protégés next week in Landes. Then after the international truce, it will certainly not be necessary to go through during the crucial reception of Landerneau, on February 19 at the Gymnase Compas Caffarelli. A meeting that can already prove decisive in the fight to stay in the elite if the TMB confirms its big victory in the first leg (66-82). In any case, the Pioneers do not want to experience the same misadventure as in 2016…