Paris (AFP)
Villeurbanne kept the head of the French Basketball Championship on Saturday, snatching the victory from the buzzer on the Châlons-Reims floor 68 to 66 on a basket from the American David Lighty.
The Villeurbannais (18 wins, 2 defeats) are one step ahead of Monaco, which easily won in the Principality against Boulazac 86 to 71 thanks to the Americans Anthony Clemmons and Norris Cole (19 and 18 points).
Adreian Payne dominated inside for ASVEL with 17 points and 8 rebounds. In the mano a mano of the fourth quarter, the club of Tony Parker was joined nine seconds from the end on a three-point shot from the American Jimmy Baron.
Dijon will have the opportunity to consolidate its third place Sunday by receiving Bourg-en-Bresse, because its pursuer Boulogne-Levallois lost in a poorly classified, Orléans, 85 to 84.
The Metropolitans were seven points ahead three minutes from the end but were styled ten seconds behind the siren on two shots by American Brandon Jefferson. The interior of Orléans Miralem Halilovic had a big game with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
In Strasbourg, the replacement of Vincent Collet by his assistant Lassi Tuovi did not avoid the SIG to suffer its seventh defeat in a row in the hall of Pau-Orthez 74 to 73. The Strasbourg had started a canon (26-11 after a quarter, +14 at halftime) but gave way in the second period. American rear Tyrus McGee scored 20 points for the Palois.
The Elean Bearn surpasses his rival of the day, who is only two victories ahead of the first relegation, Gravelines, beaten in Limoges 77 to 71. Jerry Boutsiele managed a double-double for the CSP: 20 points, 12 rebounds.
Nanterre crushed Roanne 108 to 79 by scoring no less than 19 3-point baskets (including 5 from the American Dallas Moore).
Chalon-sur-Saône doubled Le Mans in extremis 84 to 83 with a 3-point shot at the siren of the American Sean Armand (18 points). Veteran Mickaël Gelabale scored 19 points for Elk.
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