AS Monaco dominates Antibes 91-84 after a very turbulent derby concluded with three ejections, all on the Monaco side. The Sharks did not disgrace themselves but lacked success in key moments.
A derby is always a derby, with more than palpable tension. This Friday’s derby was no exception, with fouls everywhere, players sent off to the locker rooms, and an intense crowd. The Monaco leader entered as the clear favorite, backed by about fifty supporters. But Antibes welcomed back Will Solomon after 6 weeks of absence, a real breath of fresh air.
Antibes gets off to a better start
The start of the match was blue. Otule, Kouguere, and especially Cordinier were active and effective (8-4, 4th). Monaco was forced to take a timeout and could only score from the free-throw line (10 of their 12 points from 10/11 free throws). After ten minutes, despite two missed free throws by Solomon, Julien Espinosa’s men remained in the lead (17-12).
Davies and Shuler wake up the Roca Team
Solomon scored his first points at the beginning of the 2nd quarter, but the “red and white” came back and took the lead, driven by Sy and especially Davies (7 points on 3/5 shooting). Curry and Kouguere responded, but Shuler, confident for the past month, silenced the crowd with two three-pointers from another world (33-42 at halftime).
Solomon marks his return
The Sharks’ inside players, Otule and Blue, answered the call, but the Roca Team maintained an average lead of about ten points (35-46, 22nd, 44-53, 25th). Morris Curry scored 7 points in a short time, including a three-pointer that lifted the Azur Arena. It was the moment Monaco chose to implode: Sergii Gladyr was ejected for 5 fouls (including a technical one). The more than borderline behavior didn’t stop there with Jordan Aboudou punching an advertising board. Yes, the referee trio, not always up to the task, had work to do. Antibes was back on Monaco’s heels (60-62).
Missed free throws prove costly…
At the start of the 4th quarter, coach Mitrovic was ejected (second technical foul) and provoked the (very heated) crowd at the Azur Arena. The Sharks took advantage to get ahead through Curry and then Bourdillon. Jonathan Tornato contributed with a block, but Monaco accelerated and took advantage of the locals’ turnovers to widen the gap (63-68, 33rd then 67-76, 35th). Dee Bost, filling in as point guard tonight, was in control and didn’t falter at the free-throw line (10/10 overall, 21 points). On the Antibes side, their missed free throws were a weight they carried throughout the game (17/28 or 61%). Four minutes towards the end, Solomon thought he was putting Antibes back on track, but Bost responded and sealed the outcome of the match.
Monaco surpassed 90 points (91) and continues its solo lead at the top of ProA. Julien Espinosa’s men showed real character and gameplay. If they can replicate these sequences, victories should come quickly.
Before that, Antibes will meet their neighbor again on Tuesday night for the French Cup quarterfinals.
by Clément Bigois
