ProA U21 Round 31: Nancy edge ASVEL by three points

Yves Mballa

The Regular Season in ProA U21 is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 31 in the ProA U21 took place in Nancy. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of much higher ranked ASVEL (24-7) to seventh ranked Nancy (19-12) 67-64 on Saturday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of ASVEL. Nancy forced 23 ASVEL turnovers. 25 personal fouls committed by ASVEL helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Cameroonian Yves Mballa (199-2003) fired a double-double by scoring 18 points and 21 rebounds for the winners. Swingman Guillaume Grotzinger (195-2004) chipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Gambian center Babacar Mbye (212-2002) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 26 rebounds for lost side. Nancy maintains seventh place with 19-12 record. ASVEL at the other side keeps the second position with seven games lost. They share it with Limoges CSP. Nancy are looking forward to face Pau-Lacq-Orthez (#10) on the road in the next round. ASVEL will play against the league's second-placed Limoges CSP (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Leader Cholet delivered the twenty seventh victory. This time they beat 11th ranked Monaco (13-18) 95-81. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Monaco. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Matheo Leray (190-2003) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Lucas Dufeal contributed with 19 points for the winners. Iranian guard Mohammad Amini (202-2005, agency: BIG) answered with 32 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for Monaco. Monaco's coach rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cholet (27-3) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place. Monaco at the other side keeps the eleventh position with 18 games lost. They share it with Fos-Provence. Cholet will play against Fos-Provence (#12) in Fos-sur-Mer in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Monaco will play on the road against Gravelines and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Bourg. Local Bourg (21-10) outscored 16th ranked Le Mans (8-23) 88-55 on Tuesday night. Worth to mention a quality performance of Elian Benitez who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 assists and 4 steals. Bourg's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side Mathias Van Den Beemt responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Bourg. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Roanne. Le Mans lost their tenth game in a row. They keep the sixteenth position with 23 games lost. Bourg will meet Levallois (#8) on the road in the next round. Le Mans will play against Le Portel (#17) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 31 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Gravelines was defeated by Levallois in a road game 87-72. Dijon was beaten by Pau-Lacq-Orthez at home 63-78. Fos-Provence won against Le Portel on the opponent's court 78-62. Nanterre unfortunately lost to Blois in a home game 68-73. Strasbourg recorded a loss to Limoges CSP on the road 78-84. Bottom-ranked Paris BA was crushed by Roanne on its own court 83-109.