Reigning French champions, the Roca Team suffered their third defeat of the Betclic Elite season, losing 86-74 to Le Mans on their home court this Sunday afternoon.
The game started with Le Mans establishing dominance in the first quarter, leveraging accurate long-range shooting (4/7 from three-point range) to take a 24-17 lead. The Roca Team struggled to find their rhythm, shooting a dismal 29 percent from the field and managing just 2/13 from beyond the arc in the first half. Le Mans capitalised on the Roca Team’s offensive struggles, with TaShawn Thomas leading the charge and scoring 16 points by halftime, extending the lead to 45-35.
Monaco showed signs of life in the third quarter, launching an 8-0 run as Le Mans failed to score for the first five minutes. However, Trey Buchanan stepped up for the visitors, scoring 13 of Le Mans’ 15 third-quarter points, including three crucial three-pointers, to keep his team ahead by seven points entering the final period.
Despite Monaco’s efforts, Le Mans maintained composure in the fourth quarter, weathering the storm and sealing a well-deserved victory. This win brings Le Mans closer to the playoff qualification zone, while Monaco will need to regroup to defend their title effectively.
