With method and dedication, the Nice team managed to correct the errors that had cost them so dearly (as recently in Villeneuve d’Ascq) to clearly demonstrate their qualities in front of their audience.
An 8-12 in the 5th minute showed the strength of the Tarbes inside sector (well-supported by Ana Cata-Chitiga) and the effectiveness of their zone, but Nice tightened their defense, allowing only 3 points in the next 5 minutes to the visitors to come level, 15-15 at the end of the first quarter. Especially by winning the rebound battle right from the start, thanks to Jeanne Senghor and Krysten Boogaard. It was Jeanne Senghor again who led the way with a nice series of 6 consecutive points to put Nice ahead (26-23). Although Tarbes came back to level (30-30, 28th minute), it was Nice that imposed their game and rhythm on the match.
After leading 35-32 before halftime (and already 12 points for Senghor), Nice got off to a flying start again, delivering an unanswered 10-0 blow to the Tarbes players (45-32)! A three-pointer by Stéphanie Dubois increased the lead to more than 16, 52-36 at the 28th minute.
A few defensive errors and more physical play from the Tarbes side allowed them to come back to within 9 points, 55-46. But the outside shooting prowess of the Nice team (with Merike Anderson in particular) made the difference to keep Nice safely ahead, 62-48, leading by 14 with 6 minutes to the final buzzer.
After Barbara Cousin, it was Aminata Konaté who took over the playmaking duties at the end of the match to finish with the maximum gap of 17 points, 57-74. A well-deserved victory that bodes well for the future for Olga Tarasenko and her team.
