NM1 Round 5 (Regular Season): Mulhouse keeps a leadership position

There were just five rounds played in Regular Season of NM1 and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Mulhouse as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Mulhouse smashed 4th placed Orchesien BC at home 83-63. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Orchesien BC. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Guard Theo Rey (194-2000) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points. Jean Vergez Pascal (188-1997) contributed with 11 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Mulhouse's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Power forward Mounir Bernaoui (205-1997) answered with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for Orchies. Mulhouse have a solid series of three victories in a row. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Loon-Plage. Orchies at the other side keeps the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Important game to mention about took place in Angers. Fifth ranked Etoile Angers (3-1) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 8th ranked Toulouse (1-2) 90-89 on Friday evening. American point guard Steve Jr Robinson (165-1996, college: Mt.St.Mary's) stepped up and scored 25 points and 4 assists for the winners and Gregory Bengaber chipped in 10 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Matthias Flosse (210-1998) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Angers moved-up to second place, which they share with Tarbes-Lourdes and Fougeres. Toulouse at the other side dropped to the tenth position with two games lost. Angers will play against Chartres (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Toulouse will play against Lorient to get more than just one victory in their record.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Lorient (3-2) against fifth ranked Fougeres (3-1) on Friday night. Host Lorient was defeated by Fougeres in a tough game in Lorient 61-70. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Lorient. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Kevin Bichard nailed 18 points for the winning side. Fidelis Okereke came up with 12 points and 5 rebounds for Lorient in the defeat. Lorient's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Fougeres moved-up to second place, which they share with Tarbes-Lourdes and Angers. Loser Lorient dropped to the fourth position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Fougeres will meet league's leader Challans on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Lorient will play against Toulouse and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 5: winless Laval was smashed by Bordeaux on the road 78-59. Charleville lost to SCABB on its own court 71-86. Pays Salonais managed to outperform LyonSO in Sapela 78-62. Loon-Plage managed to beat Besancon at home 82-77. Boulogne defeated Saint Vallier on the opponent's court 89-84. Rennes beat Les Sables in a home game 95-89. Chartres lost to Tarbes-Lourdes on the road 74-80. Tours unfortunately lost to Vitre on its own court 72-76.
The most impressive performance of 5th round was 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by Alexandre Fanchini of Vitre.



Bordeaux - Laval 78-59:
No shocking result in a game when twelfth ranked Bordeaux (2-3) crushed at home bottom-ranked Laval (0-4) 78-59 on Wednesday. Bordeaux outrebounded Laval 39-23 including a 31-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Bordeaux looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Point guard Noa Calabre (186-2005) nailed 20 points and 7 assists for the winning side and swingman Sherif Sebabe (198-2004) accounted for 13 points and 10 rebounds. Four Bordeaux players scored in double figures. Bordeaux's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guard Antoine Belkessa (186-1988) came up with 18 points and 6 assists and Nigerian forward Mohammed Abdulsalam (206-1997, college: UNCG, agency: Olsta) added 12 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Laval in the defeat. Bordeaux moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Tours. Loser Laval still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Besancon. Bordeaux will meet higher ranked Vitre (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Laval will play against the league's second-placed Tarbes-Lourdes (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Laval: A.Belkessa 18+1reb+6ast, M.Abdulsalam 12+6reb+2ast, P.Sandro 9+2reb+3ast, G.Romain 6+4reb, N.Raphael 4, L.Le Carrer 4+3reb
Bordeaux: C.Noa 20+2reb+7ast, S.Nicholas 13+8reb+2ast, S.Sherif 13+10reb+1ast, D.Clement 12+4reb+7ast, B.Antoine 6+4reb+2ast, E.Froc 5+2reb

Charleville - SCABB 71-86:
Rather expected game when 8th ranked Charleville-Mezieres (1-3) lost at home to sixth ranked Andrezieux (3-2) 86-71 on Friday. SCABB outrebounded Charleville 34-21 including 24 on the defensive glass. Theo Bouteille (192-1997) nailed 31 points (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field) for the winning side and point guard Hugo Desseignet (175-2003) accounted for 17 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Andrezieux's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Forward Thomas Klein (201-2002) came up with 19 points and 5 rebounds and Tyron Minfir (197-2002) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Charleville in the defeat. Four SCABB and five Charleville players scored in double figures. SCABB moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Charleville-Mezieres keeps the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. SCABB will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Charleville will play against Pole France (#13) in Paris and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Charleville: T.Klein 19+5reb+2ast, T.Minfir 15+5reb, M.Tonji 14+5reb, M.Courtois 10+4reb+3ast, Y.Allard 10+6ast, M.Mathyas 2+1reb+3ast
SCABB: B.Theo 31+3reb+1ast, D.Hugo 17+5reb+8ast, D.Pape 12+8reb+2ast, M.Zakaria 11+2reb+2ast, L.Gabin 9+4reb, C.Hugo 3+1reb+2ast

LyonSO - Pays Salonais 62-78:
There was a surprise result when thirteenth ranked Pays Salonais (1-3) won against on the road higher ranked LyonSO (1-3) 78-62 on Friday. Pays Salonais had a 29-17 advantage in offensive rebounds. Algerian guard Dalil Hadi (185-2003) nailed 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and guard Thomas Laurent (190-1991) accounted for 12 points and 7 assists. Forward Axel Dossou (198-2002) came up with 18 points and 7 rebounds and guard Eliot Thillier (193-2002) added 8 points and 5 rebounds respectively for LyonSO in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Pays Salonais left bottom position moving up to eighth place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated LyonSO. It was LyonSO's third loss in a row. Pays Salonais will meet at home higher ranked Val de Seine (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. LyonSO will play against Boulogne in Boulogne-sur-Mer and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
LyonSO: A.Dossou 18+7reb+3ast, H.Nguyen 12+1reb+2ast, R.Boum 10+2reb+1ast, E.Thillier 8+5reb+3ast, Z.Junior 5+6reb, B.Mathieu 4+1reb+2ast
Pays Salonais: H.Dalil 18+8reb+6ast, L.Thomas 12+3reb+7ast, H.Jiyann 9, M.Hugo 8+2reb+1ast, J.Jalen 7+8reb+2ast, N.Channick 7+7reb

Loon-Plage - Besancon 82-77:
Not a big story in a game when bottom-ranked Besancon (0-4) lost on the road to fourth ranked Loon-Plage (4-1) 82-77 on Friday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Loon-Plage made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Strangely Besancon outrebounded Loon-Plage 46-33 including 31 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American-Jamaican guard Brian Dawson (188-1999, college: Regis Univ.) nailed 19 points and 6 assists for the winning side and guard Nathan Jeanne (185-2001) accounted for 15 points and 6 assists. Loon-Plage's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Hugo Boumpoutou (200-2004) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists and American forward Montavious Myrick (203-2003, college: EKU, agency: One Motive Sports) added 13 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Besancon in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Loon-Plage have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Mulhouse. Loser Besancon still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Laval. Loon-Plage will meet Berck (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Besancon will play against Saint Vallier (#10) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Besancon: A.Venckus 18+3reb+1ast, H.Boumpoutou 14+12reb+5ast, M.Myrick 13+8reb+2ast, C.Pontens 11+4reb+3ast, H.Cluysen 9+4reb+1ast, C.Eliezer-Vanerot 5+10reb+2ast
Loon-Plage: D.Brian 19+2reb+6ast, C.Peinte 17+2reb, N.Jeanne 15+4reb+6ast, S.Seraphin 12+7reb, L.Elidjah-Gabriel 5+2reb+2ast, W.Williams 5+6reb

Mulhouse - Orchies 83-63:
The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Mulhouse as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Mulhouse smashed 4th placed Orchesien BC at home 83-63. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Orchesien BC. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Guard Theo Rey (194-2000) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points. Jean Vergez Pascal (188-1997) contributed with 11 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Mulhouse's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Power forward Mounir Bernaoui (205-1997) answered with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and naturalized Guinean forward Abdoulaye Sy (201-1995) added 15 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Orchies. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Mulhouse have a solid series of three victories in a row. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Loon-Plage. Orchies at the other side keeps the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Orchies: S.Abdoulaye 15+6reb+2ast, M.Bernaoui 13+5reb+6ast, G.Gessat 12+3reb+2ast, B.Marius 10+6reb+3ast, L.Veraghe 5+2reb+1ast, M.M'Madi 5+4reb+4ast
Mulhouse: R.Theo 21+4reb+3ast, C.Marius 13+2reb+5ast, J.Milling 12+5reb+1ast, V.Jean 11+8reb+2ast, N.Michael 8+4reb+3ast, W.Dion 6+1reb+1ast

Saint Vallier - Boulogne 84-89:
The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventh ranked SO Maritime Boulogne's (2-1) road victory over 8th ranked Saint Vallier (1-3) 89-84 on Friday. Boulogne made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 52.0 percentage. Boulogne looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American point guard Aaron Deloney (183-2001, college: Vermont) nailed 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and Burkinabe-American Bubu Palo (188-1991, college: Iowa St.) accounted for 14 points and 4 assists. American point guard Darhius Nunn (175-1998, college: PBA) came up with 24 points and Algerian guard Nadyr Labouize (187-1997) added 15 points and 4 assists respectively for Saint Vallier in the defeat. Four Saint Vallier players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Boulogne moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Vitre. Saint Vallier lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Boulogne will meet at home LyonSO (#11) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Saint Vallier will play against Besancon and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Saint Vallier: D.Nunn 24+3ast, Y.Olivier 16+1reb, N.Labouize 15+4reb+4ast, A.N'Diaye 13+3reb+1ast, S.Kalemba 9+9reb+3ast, M.Kevin 3+2reb
Boulogne: D.Aaron 16+6reb+6ast, P.Bubu 14+3reb+4ast, H.Pierre 10+1reb+1ast, C.Ismael 9+5reb+3ast, K.Ousmane 8+4reb+2ast, T.Lucas 8+3reb+2ast

Angers - Toulouse 90-89:
Important game to mention about took place in Angers. Fifth ranked Etoile Angers (3-1) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 8th ranked Toulouse (1-2) 90-89 on Friday evening. Angers outrebounded Toulouse 37-23 including 17 on the offensive glass. Angers players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. American point guard Steve Jr Robinson (165-1996, college: Mt.St.Mary's) stepped up and scored 25 points and 4 assists for the winners and point guard Gregory Bengaber (186-1997) chipped in 10 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Matthias Flosse (210-1998) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds and American guard Tre Jackson (184-2001, college: WCU) scored 20 points and 4 assists. Four Angers and five Toulouse players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Angers moved-up to second place, which they share with Tarbes-Lourdes and Fougeres. Toulouse at the other side dropped to the tenth position with two games lost. Angers will play against Chartres (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Toulouse will play against Lorient to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Toulouse: T.Jackson 20+1reb+4ast, M.Flosse 17+10reb+1ast, R.Pluvy 14+2reb+6ast, L.Marnette 14+2ast, W.Butler 13+5reb+2ast, S.Gauthier 5+2reb+1ast
Angers: J.Steve 25+1reb+4ast, M.Abdul 14+6reb, R.Malik 11+3reb+2ast, H.Sullivan 10+6reb+1ast, B.Gregory 10+7reb+10ast, D.Gnahore 6+1reb+2ast

Lorient - Fougeres 61-70:
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Lorient (3-2) against fifth ranked Fougeres (3-1) on Friday night. Host Lorient was defeated by Fougeres in a tough game in Lorient 61-70. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Lorient. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Fougeres looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Swingman Kevin Bichard (196-1986) nailed 18 points for the winning side and Romain Dardaine (200-1988) accounted for 15 points. Four Fougeres players scored in double figures. Nigerian-American power forward Fidelis Okereke (198-2002, college: CSUB) came up with 12 points and 5 rebounds and point guard Maxime Choplin (180-1992) added 12 points respectively for Lorient in the defeat. Lorient's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Fougeres moved-up to second place, which they share with Tarbes-Lourdes and Angers. Loser Lorient dropped to the fourth position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Fougeres will meet league's leader Challans on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Lorient will play against Toulouse and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Lorient: F.Okereke 12+5reb+1ast, M.Choplin 12+3reb+2ast, M.Queta 9+4reb+1ast, M.Grace 9+1reb+1ast, M.Victor 6+4reb+5ast, K.Franceschi 6+1reb+1ast
Fougeres: K.Bichard 18+2reb, R.Dardaine 15+2reb+2ast, P.Clement 13+3reb+2ast, Y.Harrath 12+1reb+6ast, L.Mael 5+4reb+1ast, D.Conde 4+1reb+1ast

Rennes - Les Sables 95-89:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both twelfth ranked Union Rennes and 11th ranked Les Sables had identical 1-2 record. This time Union Rennes used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Les Sables-D'Ollone 95-89 on Friday night. Rennes made 26-of-33 free shots (78.8 percent) during the game, while Les Sables only scored six points from the stripe. Rennes forced 21 Les Sables turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Guard Camille Jean (188-2002) nailed 16 points and 6 assists for the winning side and forward David Amarh (202-2002) accounted for 16 points and 6 rebounds. Forward Alexis Dargenton (203-1994, college: Utah St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds and Florian Fortas (191-2000) added 18 points and 4 steals respectively for Les Sables in the defeat. Five Rennes and four Les Sables players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Rennes (2-2) moved-up to seventh place. Les Sables lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Rennes will meet league's leader Challans on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Les Sables will play against Tours (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Les Sables: F.Fortas 18+4reb+3ast, Q.Ruel 15+2reb, K.Marc 13+2reb+3ast, A.Dargenton 12+11reb+2ast, J.Kebe 7+1reb+6ast, V.Keran 6+6reb+1ast
Rennes: J.Camille 16+4reb+6ast, D.Amarh 16+6reb+1ast, Z.Yahiaoui 15+1reb+1ast, L.Ewan 12+2reb+1ast, M.Pointel 11+2reb+4ast, J.Sclear 11+1reb+2ast

Tarbes-Lourdes - Chartres 80-74:
No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Lourdes-Tarbes (3-1) beat at home 10th ranked C'Chartres (1-3) 80-74 on Friday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. American point guard Demaree King (183-1999, college: Jax State) nailed 21 points for the winning side and power forward Guillaume Valayer (201-1996) accounted for 12 points and 7 rebounds. Four Lourdes-Tarbes players scored in double figures. Center Jonathan Mkamba (-1999) came up with 16 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) and point guard Theo Lefebvre (180-1995) added 14 points, 7 assists and 4 steals respectively for Chartres in the defeat. C'Chartres' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Tarbes-Lourdes moved-up to second place, which they share with Angers and Fougeres. Loser C'Chartres dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Tarbes-Lourdes will meet Laval (#14) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Chartres will play against Angers (#4) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Chartres: J.Mkamba 16+8reb+3ast, T.Lefebvre 14+7ast, I.Pouye 10+1reb+4ast, M.Ndoye 9+6reb+1ast, L.Loubaki 8+3reb+4ast, L.Roux Jules 8+7reb+2ast
Tarbes-Lourdes: K.Demaree 21+2ast, B.Mickael 13+2reb, B.Tautvydas 12+4reb+3ast, V.Guillaume 12+7reb+3ast, A.Fabien 8+4reb+4ast, N.Goudou-Sinha 7+2reb+4ast

Tours - Vitre 72-76:
There was a minor upset when 7th ranked Tours (2-3) lost at home to ninth ranked Vitre (2-1) 76-72 on Friday. Vitre shot 23 for 35 from the free-throw line, while Tours only scored seven points from the stripe. Strangely Tours outrebounded Vitre 44-26 including a 21-10 advantage in offensive rebounds. Vitre looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Point guard Alexandre Fanchini (183-1999, college: Colby CC) nailed 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Israeli-American forward Alex Sobel (203-2000, college: Sacred Heart) accounted for 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks. Jules Gibey (196-2004) came up with 20 points and Mali center Moulaye Sissoko (206-1999, college: N.Texas) added 9 points and 14 rebounds respectively for Tours in the defeat. Tours' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Vitre moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Boulogne. Loser Tours dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with Bordeaux. Vitre will meet at home Bordeaux (#8) in the next round. Tours will play against Les Sables in Les Sables-D'Ollone and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tours: J.Gibey 20+4reb+2ast, Y.Siegwarth 11+2reb+2ast, M.Sissoko 9+14reb, G.Dimoke 9+3reb+2ast, A.Couture 8+5reb, K.Selebangue 8+2reb+8ast
Vitre: F.Alexandre 21+5reb+4ast, S.Alex 15+5reb+3ast, P.Sya 9+3reb+3ast, B.Oger 8+3reb+5ast, W.DeShaun 8+2reb+4ast, A.Togguy 7+2ast