ELITE 2 Round 7 (Regular Season): Nantes lose to Denain-Voltaire in the game between Top 4 teams

After 7 rounds played we can already see who rules in the ELITE 2 and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Denain. First ranked host Denain Voltaire (6-1) smashed 4th placed Nantes (4-3) 96-72. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Nantes. Denain-Voltaire held Nantes to an opponent 25.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 33.3 percent accuracy of the winners and made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. Denain-Voltaire looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for Olivier Cortale (207-1997) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 8 rebounds. American point guard Duke Deen (173-2001, college: Bradley) helped adding 16 points and 6 assists. Denain Voltaire's coach Thomas Andrieux felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American swingman Wendell Davis (196-1995, college: Ashland) responded with 18 points. Denain-Voltaire maintains first place with 6-1 record. Nantes at the other side dropped to the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Denain-Voltaire are looking forward to face bottom-ranked La Rochelle (#20) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Nantes will play against Vichy (#13) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
An interesting game took place in Evreux where higher ranked ALM Evreux (4-3) was upset on its own court by sixteenth ranked STB Le Havre (3-4) 101-74. It was an exceptional evening for American-Nigerian guard Ajare Sanni (190-2000, college: UCSB) who led the winners and scored 24 points and 4 assists. Jalin Anderson accounted for 18 points and 8 assists. American forward Nicholas McMullen (203-2002, college: Georgia St.) came up with 20 points and 8 rebounds for Evreux in the defeat. ALM Evreux's coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Le Havre moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with 5 other teams. Evreux at the other side keeps the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Le Havre will play against higher ranked Orleans (#7) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Evreux will play against Champagne having rather not much hope for a victory.
An interesting game took place in Gries where higher ranked Aix-Maurienne (3-4) was upset on the court of eighteenth ranked ASA (2-5) 93-70 on Friday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Aix-Maurienne. Allan Jeanne-Rose fired 16 points, 5 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Coach Nebojsa Bogavac's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Dorian Angloma produced 22 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for lost side. ASA moved-up to seventeenth place, which they share with Fos-sur-Mer and Rouen. Loser Aix-Maurienne keeps the eleventh position with four games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. ASA will meet higher ranked Caen (#12) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Aix-Maurienne will play against Hyeres-Toulon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 7: Levallois lost to Champagne on the opponent's court 89-95. Poitiers managed to outperform La Rochelle in a home game 89-85. Hyeres-Toulon managed to beat Rouen on the road 105-90. Antibes crushed Caen on its own court 102-77. SCABB was beaten by Fos-sur-Mer in a road game 74-63. Blois won against Vichy at home 93-75. Quimper was outscored by Orleans on the opponent's court 100-71.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 18 points by Tomislav Gabric of Orleans.



Champagne - Levallois 95-89:
Very expected game in Reims where 14th ranked Metropolitans (3-4) was defeated by seventh ranked Champagne (5-2) 95-89 on Friday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Champagne held Levallois to an opponent 22.2 percent shooting from the field compared to 46.9 percent accuracy of the winners and made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Champagne looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Serbian swingman Djordje Milosevic (199) fired 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Guard Valentin Vitale-Boiteux (188-2001) chipped in 13 points and 9 assists. Champagne's coach Eric Bartecheky used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Naturalized Spanish guard Tom Digbeu (195-2001) produced 23 points and 6 rebounds and American center Clifton Moore (204-1999, college: Providence) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Champagne have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Antibes and Poitiers. Levallois lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with four games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Champagne will meet at home Evreux (#8) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Levallois will play against Fos-sur-Mer and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Champagne: M.Djordje 18+7reb+5ast, K.Eddy 16+7reb+2ast, A.Jarrett 15+3reb+1ast, V.Valentin 13+3reb+9ast, R.Dimitri 11+3reb+2ast, E.Guillaume 8+2reb+2ast
Levallois: T.Digbeu 23+6reb+3ast, G.Kezza 17+3ast, C.Moore 15+5reb+1ast, K.Milling 12+5reb+2ast, G.Oniangue 10+3reb, L.Colson 5+5reb

Denain-Voltaire - Nantes 96-72:
The game between Top Four teams took place in Denain. First ranked host Denain Voltaire (6-1) smashed 4th placed Nantes (4-3) 96-72. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Nantes. Denain-Voltaire held Nantes to an opponent 25.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 33.3 percent accuracy of the winners and made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. Denain-Voltaire looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for Olivier Cortale (207-1997) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 8 rebounds. American point guard Duke Deen (173-2001, college: Bradley) helped adding 16 points and 6 assists. Denain Voltaire's coach Thomas Andrieux felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American swingman Wendell Davis (196-1995, college: Ashland) responded with 18 points and Hugo Mienandi (200) scored 6 points and 7 rebounds. Denain-Voltaire maintains first place with 6-1 record. Nantes at the other side dropped to the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Denain-Voltaire are looking forward to face bottom-ranked La Rochelle (#20) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Nantes will play against Vichy (#13) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Denain-Voltaire: C.Olivier 22+8reb+1ast, P.Lien 16+7reb+1ast, D.Duke 16+3reb+6ast, K.Kenny 11+2reb, W.Oscar 9+4reb+1ast, M.Gaetan 9+5reb+8ast
Nantes: W.Davis 18+2reb+3ast, L.Bourhis 10+1reb+5ast, J.Masters 10+5reb, M.Gomis 7+4reb, S.Mouhri 6+1reb, D.Gassaud 6+1reb

Evreux - Le Havre 74-101:
An interesting game took place in Evreux where higher ranked ALM Evreux (4-3) was upset on its own court by sixteenth ranked STB Le Havre (3-4) 101-74. Le Havre held Evreux to an opponent 15.4 percent shooting from the field compared to 46.2 percent accuracy of the winners and made 19-of-20 charity shots (95.0 percent) during the game. Le Havre players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American-Nigerian guard Ajare Sanni (190-2000, college: UCSB) who led the winners and scored 24 points and 4 assists. American point guard Jalin Anderson (190-2002, college: UIW) accounted for 18 points and 8 assists for the winning side. American forward Nicholas McMullen (203-2002, college: Georgia St.) came up with 20 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import guard JaCobi Wood (188-2002, college: Murray St.) added 12 points and 6 assists respectively for Evreux in the defeat. Five Le Havre and four Evreux players scored in double figures. ALM Evreux's coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Le Havre moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with 5 other teams. Evreux at the other side keeps the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Le Havre will play against higher ranked Orleans (#7) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Evreux will play against Champagne having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Le Havre: S.Ajare 24+3reb+4ast, A.Jalin 18+4reb+8ast, P.Jonah 17+5reb+2ast, D.Thibault 15+5reb+2ast, G.Maxime 15+6reb+3ast, D.Brano 6+1reb+2ast
Evreux: N.McMullen 20+8reb+1ast, J.Wood 12+6ast, I.Moungalla 11+4reb+2ast, J.Mosely 11+2ast, R.Edzata 7+2reb+3ast, E.Lufile 7+3reb+1ast

Poitiers - La Rochelle 89-85:
Very predictable result when second ranked Poitiers (5-2) defeated at home bottom-ranked La Rochelle (1-6) 89-85 on Friday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Poitiers made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. American guard Keaston Willis (190-2001, college: Tulsa) fired 28 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Guard Christopher Dauby (194-1999) chipped in 27 points and 8 rebounds. American forward Jimmy Boeheim (203-1998, college: Syracuse) produced 23 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import point guard Evan Gilyard II (180-1998, college: UMKC) added 24 points and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Poitiers have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain second place with 5-2 record behind leader Denain-Voltaire, which they share with Antibes and Champagne. La Rochelle lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with six games lost. Poitiers will meet at home Antibes (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. La Rochelle will play against the league's leader Denain-Voltaire (#1) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Poitiers: W.Keaston 28+5reb+3ast, D.Christopher 27+8reb, B.Noel 13+2reb+1ast, I.Guedegbe 6+3ast, M.Matthys 5+3reb+2ast, I.Prot 4+3reb+1ast
La Rochelle: E.Gilyard II 24+5ast, J.Boeheim 23+5reb+1ast, B.Joseph 10+2reb+3ast, S.Ndiaye 8+2reb+1ast, Y.Alexis 7+13reb, S.Andrea 6+3reb

Rouen - Hyeres-Toulon 90-105:
Not a big story in a game when 17th ranked SPO Rouen (2-5) was defeated at home by fifteenth ranked Hyeres-Toulon (4-3) 105-90 on Friday. Hyeres-Toulon made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. Hyeres-Toulon had a 24-12 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Hyeres-Toulon especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 55.0 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Bosnian-American point guard John Roberson (180-1988, college: Texas Tech) fired a double-double by scoring 30 points and 11 assists for the winners. American forward Moses Greenwood (201-1997, college: SE Louisiana) chipped in 22 points and 9 rebounds. American forward Marchelus Avery (203-2000, college: OK State, agency: Inception Sports) produced 17 points and 4 steals and center Jared Ambrose (204-2002) added 14 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Hyeres-Toulon and five Rouen players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Hyeres-Toulon moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 5 other teams. Loser SPO Rouen keeps the seventeenth position with five games lost. They share it with Fos-sur-Mer and ASA. Hyeres-Toulon will meet at home Aix-Maurienne (#11) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Rouen will play against SCABB (#16) in Saint Chamond and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hyeres-Toulon: R.John 30+11ast, G.Moses 22+9reb+2ast, W.Walter 17+6reb+2ast, M.Frank 17+8reb+2ast, L.Marc-Olivier 10+1reb, R.Stellan 5+3reb+5ast
Rouen: N.Akram 17+1reb+2ast, M.Avery 17+4reb+2ast, I.Mintogo 15+2reb+3ast, J.Ambrose 14+7reb+1ast, D.Ona Embo 10+1reb+3ast, C.Mohamed 5+3reb+1ast

Antibes - Caen 102-77:
Everything went according to plan when third ranked Olympique Antibes (5-2) outscored at home 9th ranked Calvados (3-4) 102-77 on Friday. Antibes looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Caen's players. American guard Marcus Williams (188-2002, college: USF) fired 17 points and 6 assists for the winners. Guard Romain Parmentelot (190-2004) chipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. American guard Tyler Thomas (190-2000, college: Hofstra) produced 13 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import guard Leo DeBruhl (190-2002, college: UC Davis) added 16 points respectively for lost side. Five Antibes and four Caen players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Olympique Antibes have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Champagne and Poitiers. Caen lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with four games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Antibes will meet league's second-placed Poitiers on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Caen will play against ASA (#17) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Antibes: C.Leopold 17+1reb+1ast, C.Kyle 17+2reb+4ast, W.Marcus 17+4reb+6ast, P.Romain 15+5reb+7ast, S.Zeljko 12+8reb+4ast, T.Bathiste 11+1reb+2ast
Caen: L.DeBruhl 16+2reb, T.Thomas 13+9reb+3ast, K.Facey 10+5reb, Y.Granvorka 10+2reb, A.Rojewski 8+4reb+2ast, V.Ilic 7+2reb+2ast

ASA - Aix-Maurienne 93-70:
An interesting game took place in Gries where higher ranked Aix-Maurienne (3-4) was upset on the court of eighteenth ranked ASA (2-5) 93-70 on Friday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Aix-Maurienne. ASA made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. They also forced 26 Aix-Maurienne turnovers. ASA looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Forward Allan Jeanne-Rose (199, college: CCSU) fired 16 points, 5 assists and 4 steals for the winners. point guard Ludovic Beyhurst (172-1999) chipped in 9 points and 8 assists. Coach Nebojsa Bogavac's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Guard Dorian Angloma (186-2003) produced 22 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and point guard Antoine Dudit (181-1997) added 11 points respectively for lost side. ASA moved-up to seventeenth place, which they share with Fos-sur-Mer and Rouen. Loser Aix-Maurienne keeps the eleventh position with four games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. ASA will meet higher ranked Caen (#12) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Aix-Maurienne will play against Hyeres-Toulon and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
ASA: J.Allan 16+3reb+5ast, K.Nikola 14+2reb+2ast, A.Petar 14+2reb+2ast, M.Killian 12+2reb+1ast, J.Russell 12+1reb+3ast, B.Ludovic 9+3reb+8ast
Aix-Maurienne: D.Angloma 22+8reb+6ast, A.Dudit 11+2reb+3ast, M.Bordes 9, S.Jules 9+1reb+1ast, L.Dufeal 6+2reb+1ast, C.Sane 5+6reb+1ast

Fos-sur-Mer - SCABB 74-63:
There was an upset in Fos-sur-Mer where higher ranked Saint Chamond (3-4) was defeated by nineteenth ranked Provence Basket (2-5) 74-63 on Friday. Fos-sur-Mer held SCABB to an opponent 25.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 40.0 percent accuracy of the winners and made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Fos-sur-Mer forced 23 SCABB turnovers. Point guard Mathis Keita (192-1992, college: IUP) fired 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American guard Raijon Kelly (193-1993, college: Angelo St.) chipped in 15 points. American point guard Tavon King (180-1997, college: Cumberland) produced 17 points (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and Spanish forward Sean Smith (203-1995, college: St.Cloud St., agency: BIG) added 6 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players saving starting five for next games. Fos-sur-Mer moved-up to seventeenth place, which they share with Rouen and ASA. Loser Saint Chamond dropped to the eleventh position with four games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Fos-sur-Mer will meet higher ranked Levallois (#15) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. SCABB will play against Rouen (#19) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fos-sur-Mer: K.Mathis 24+6reb+6ast, K.Raijon 15+3reb+2ast, F.Ilane 14+5reb+1ast, G.Garlon 6+4reb+4ast, E.Junior 5+7reb+1ast, M.Yannis 4+3reb+1ast
SCABB: T.King 17+2reb+3ast, J.Belo-Osagie 11+3reb, P.Diop 8+5reb, S.Smith 6+9reb+5ast, T.Vergiat 5+2reb+1ast, S.Cape 4+1ast

Blois - Vichy 93-75:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked ADA Blois and 10th ranked JA Vichy had identical 3-3 record. This time ADA Blois used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Vichy 93-75 on Saturday night. Blois forced 19 Vichy turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Arthur Bouba (202-2001) fired 14 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Naturalized Guinean Tidjan Keita (208-1996) chipped in 15 points. Forward Theo Pichard (198-2005) produced 15 points and 6 rebounds and American guard RaySean Taylor (185-2001, college: SIUE) added 13 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players saving starting five for next games. Blois (4-3) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 5 other teams. Loser JA Vichy dropped to the eleventh position with four games lost. They share it with 5 other teams. Blois will meet Quimper (#10) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Vichy will play against Nantes and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Blois: K.Tidjan 15+3reb+1ast, B.Arthur 14+6reb+1ast, R.Quinton 14+2reb+2ast, G.Lois 11+5reb+3ast, D.Lucas 10+2reb+6ast, M.Romuald 9+3reb+1ast
Vichy: I.Pietrus 17+1reb+2ast, T.Pichard 15+6reb+3ast, R.Taylor 13+7reb+3ast, N.Kingue 12+2reb, D.Nseke Ebele 10+4reb, R.Djasrambaye 4+3reb

Orleans - Quimper 100-71:
There was a minor upset when higher ranked Quimper UJAP (4-3) was crushed on the road by eleventh ranked Entente Orleans 45 (4-3) 100-71 on Saturday. Orleans made 18-of-19 free shots (94.7 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Mali point guard Siriman Kanoute (181-2001) fired 22 points for the winners. Croatian Tomislav Gabric (204-1995, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 18 points. Four Entente Orleans 45 players scored in double figures. American guard Jay Heath (190-2000, college: Georgetown) produced 18 points and 6 rebounds and Haitian-Canadian forward Nathan Cayo (201-1997, college: Richmond) added 20 points respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Orleans moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated Quimper. Orleans will meet Le Havre (#14) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Quimper will play against Blois (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Orleans: K.Siriman 22+2reb+3ast, G.Tomislav 18+4reb+2ast, N.Ludovic 16+6reb+1ast, S.Jordan 12+3ast, B.Arthur 11+4reb+1ast, M.Badr 6+2reb
Quimper: N.Cayo 20+3reb+1ast, J.Heath 18+6reb+1ast, A.Da Silva 8+1reb+6ast, V.Diallo 6+2reb+1ast, F.Pouaveyoun 4+3reb+1ast, C.Valcy 4+2reb