The Niss’Angels won with a score of 73-66 in this third game against the Dรฉferlantes de Nantes. On their home court, the Niรงoises secured their ticket for the Challenge Round finals last night, and are now just two steps away from Europe.
Victory was crucial yesterday for Cavigal. After their defeat on Thursday night, it was imperative to win last night to keep the dream of competing in a European cup alive. In a very tense game, the Niรงoises rose to the occasion.
Hurt vs. Casas Duel
The first quarter boiled down to a duel between two players. Leading for the Niss’Angels, Courtney Hurt, who scored 8 points. Opposing her for the Dรฉferlantes, the Spanish playmaker Queralt Casas was unstoppable (14 points for her in the first 10 minutes). But the Azurรฉennes held their ground, and at the end of the first quarter, the two teams were tied at 21-21.
On Thursday night, it was in the second quarter that the locals let the game slip away. But this scenario did not repeat itself. Djรฉnรฉ Diawara and Courtney Hurt took charge on offense.
They dominated their opponents under the baskets and scored easy points in the paint. Nantes, on the other hand, capitalized on three-pointers and led at halftime 33-36.
The game intensifies
Returning from the lockers, the game became more physical. The referees allowed a lot of play and were not quick to whistle. The tension rose. But Nantes understood that their salvation lay with Casas. The Iberian playmaker continued her spree with 10 points scored in the quarter.
The players under Rachid Meziane did not flinch. Courtney Hurt responded to the Spaniard with 10 points for herself in that period. Cavigal stayed within shooting distance of the Dรฉferlantes before the start of the final act. 49-51.
The Niss’Angels through sheer force
The last period started ideally for the Azurรฉennes. They went on a 6-0 run and took control of the game (55-51). Their defense was set, and Nantes didn’t score a single basket in the first five minutes of the quarter.
A major blow for the Niss’Angels, as Romy Bar, the captain, was forced to exit due to her 5 personal fouls. No matter, Cavigal could count on Anderson, Diawara, and Ben Abdelkader. With a lay-up and a free throw, the latter put her team 7 points ahead with 1’02 left in the game. The Niss’Angels just had to finish the game on the line and manage their lead.
They eventually won 73-67 at the end of a very grueling match. They are now set to play on Tuesday night on the court of Basket Landes and will return to play the second game of the series on Thursday night at Leyrit.
