Paris (AFP)

After five consecutive victories, Le Mans fell heavily in Pau (85-64), while Monaco chained to Cholet a ninth success in a row (victory 84-71), Friday during the 16th day of the Elite basketball championship.

A few days after their feat on Monday (85-74 victory over Villeurbanne, hitherto undefeated), the Le Mans players fell from high on the floor of the Elé béarnais, a defeat that emerged in the second half time, dominated 44-28 by the Palois.

Le Mans remains seventh in the championship but is again experiencing the taste for defeat: the Sarthois had not lost since the arrival at the head of their new coach Elric Delord, confirmed ten days ago until the end of the season.

Monegasques, on the contrary, do not stop. Their success at Cholet, which was almost achieved at half-time (51-31), allows them to remain second in the championship and threaten Villeurbanne, who plays on Saturday (14 successes each, a defeat for Asvel, two for Monaco ). The principality club has not lost in the league since the beginning of November ... against Le Mans.

Fifth before the match, Cholet sees Bourg-en-Bresse come back to his height, wide winner (96-72) against Boulazac. The Choletais also lose contact with Boulogne-Levallois, winner (121-115) after the suspense and an overtime against Châlons-Reims.

Less at stake but as much madness in Orleans, which hosted Châlon-sur-Saône: the latter won after three extra time on the score of (129-125), the most prolific match of the season.

In another soft belly match, Limoges won at Roanne (89-73).

Finally, Le Portel is more than ever the red lantern: already doomed to finish 2019 in last place, the Pas-de-Calais club lost (85-76) at home to Nanterre and will have to raise their heads in 2020 for dream of maintenance.

Results and classification of the 16th day of the Elite basketball championship:

Thursday

Strasbourg - Dijon 72 - 82

Friday

Orléans - Chalon-sur-Saône 125 - 129 (ap)

Bourg-en-Bresse - Boulazac 96 - 72

Le Portel - Nanterre 76 - 85

Pau-Orthez - Le Mans 85 - 64

Roanne - Limoges 73 - 89

Boulogne-Levallois - Châlons-Reims 121 - 115 (ap)

Cholet - Monaco 71 - 84

Saturday

(5:00 p.m.) Villeurbanne - Gravelines

Classification:% VJGP pp pc

1. Villeurbanne 93 15 14 1 1279 1128

2. Monaco 88 16 14 2 1358 1133

3. Dijon 82 17 14 3 1438 1264

4. Boulogne-Levallois 71 17 12 5 1,516 1,513

5. Cholet 65 17 11 6 1,386 1,334

6. Bourg-en-Bresse 65 17 11 6 1,402 1,354

7. Nanterre 47 17 8 9 1411 1402

8. Strasbourg 47 17 8 9 1382 1374

9. Le Mans 47 17 8 9 1360 1412

10. Limoges 41 17 7 10 1379 1419

11. Pau-Orthez 41 17 7 10 1392 1448

12. Châlons-Reims 41 17 7 10 1447 1449

13. 13. Chalon-sur-Saône 35 17 6 ​​11 1353 1462

14. Orléans 35 17 6 ​​11 1480 1525

15. Gravelines 31 16 5 11 1253 1311

16. Roanne 29 17 5 12 1,331 1,427

17. Boulazac 29 17 5 12 1415 1458

18. Le Portel 24 17 3 14 1271 1440

Editor's note: The classification is established taking into account the percentage of victories.

The first 8 at the end of the first matches (17 days) qualified for the Leaders Cup (the teams tied in number of wins are decided on the difference of points).

The first 8 at the end of the regular season qualified for the quarter-finals.

At the end of the season, the tied teams are decided between them.

The last three descend to ProB.

© 2019 AFP