The Niss’Angels win the Challenge Round thanks to their victory over Basket Landes with a score of 74-70. The first trophy for the Azurean club in the Women’s Basketball League.
After their last-second victory on Thursday night, the Cavigal players earned the right to play a third match in this Challenge Round final in their own arena. The Niss’Angels took a half to warm up before dominating in the second half, thanks largely to Romy Bar in MVP mode.
The Angels on alternating current
The stakes seem to have paralyzed both teams. Defenses outshine offenses, and the shooting percentage is catastrophic (35% for the Nice players and 31% for the Landes players).
But in this bleak spectacle, the Azureans come out on top. Romy Bar, the Nice captain, leads her team by scoring 7 of Cavigal’s 13 points. At the end of the first quarter, the Angels are ahead 13-11.
Basket Landes starts the second quarter with a bang. They lead with a 6-2 run in just two minutes (15-19). A slump that awakens Hind Ben Abdelkader.
Driven by their Belgian prodigy, the Nice players respond with a 12-0 run against the Montoises. The locals regain the lead 27-19. However, in the last minute of the quarter, the Azureans ease off, and Basket Landes equalizes with a long-distance shot at the buzzer. 27-27.
Cavigal dominates
At the restart, Rachid Meziane’s players return with much better intentions. Led by an unstoppable Hind Ben Abdelkader, the Angels take the lead (41-40). An advantage they won’t relinquish.
Ambrosia Anderson and then Romy Bar each deliver blows to their opponents. Nice builds a 7-point lead before the final quarter. (51-44)
The fourth quarter is a formality for the Azureans. They showcase their basketball skills and Romy Bar is remarkably successful from three-point range. The German scores ten points in the period.
And with five minutes remaining, the Cavigal inevitably cruises to victory (70-62). Even though the Nice players have a lapse in the final minute, the Montoises fail to close the gap.
A titanic match from Romy Bar. The Nice captain finishes the game with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, with an impressive 10-12 shooting.
The reward of a great season
This success caps off a good first year for the Cavigal in the top division. 18 victories in 25 games, with prestigious wins over Montpellier and Villeneuve D’Ascq, two top teams in the championship.
A success that also opens the doors of Europe to the Azurean club. The Niss’Angels will compete in the Eurocup next season. Meanwhile, they will enjoy a well-deserved vacation.
