Having leveled the score five minutes before the buzzer, the Sharks then crumbled against Nanterre’s success and lost 93-77. Defense is the major area of focus for the Azurean staff in order to better tackle the upcoming weeks.
As in Châlons-Reims and Bourg, the defense faltered at the worst moment. Away games follow one another and look similar, which is a shame given how good the efforts produced were for nearly 30 minutes. Defense, once again, is the central topic for a team that has lost its third game out of three away from the Azur Arena.
Duel at the Power Forward Position
The “Game Night” brochure handed out to the audience was not wrong; it was essential to keep an eye on number 10 on one side, Hugo Invernizzi, and number 4 on the other, Tim Blue. The Nanterre player set Maurice Thorez on fire as early as the second minute of play with two three-pointers from out of nowhere. He would score 13 points in just 3 minutes. However, the Azureans didn’t give up and came back thanks to long-distance shooting from Blassingame and Rigot. The US point guard regained form and led his team to an equal score (21-21).
“Sanford Show”
Vincent Sanford, quiet for 10 minutes, broke free and scored seven consecutive points that allowed the Sharks to take the lead (28-25, 13th minute). Nanterre struggled and didn’t score a single point for four minutes. Tim Blue inflated his stats (8 points and 6 rebounds at halftime), while Shuler, a former Monaco player, remained silent for long. The Greens’ sudden burst hurt Antibes, and it was a three-pointer from Konaté that positioned Nanterre ahead at halftime (37-40).
Petteway Unstoppable
Blue continued his performance, from afar or under the basket, but it was Nanterre’s new US recruit, Terran Petteway, who flexed his muscles (13 points in the third quarter). Neither Rigot nor Diarra could stop him. He was, in fact, the catalyst for a 10-0 run between the 24th and 27th minutes (48-60). In the paint, Yarou and Tornato appeared too soft against Aminu, who repeatedly dunked or Passave-Ducteil, who was always useful. Fortunately, Sanford and Blue kept their shot-making hot. Julien Espinosa’s men, very active on the bench, stayed within reach (60-65).
Harvey Too Isolated
The sharpshooters delighted the Nanterre crowd at the start of the fourth quarter. Tyler Harvey, for Antibes, scored 13 points in just five minutes but was challenged by Petteway and Schaffartzik (71-67, 32nd minute). With 5 minutes and 40 seconds left to play, the score was 74-72 in favor of the home team. It was the turning point of the match. Only one team would then play a worthy brand of basketball: Nanterre. Antibes suffered a harsh 19-5 until the final buzzer. The defense failed to respond, gifts kept on giving, and the time-outs called by the Antibes coach would change nothing. The 16-point gap at the end may seem severe, but letting down against this team comes at a price.
Antibes, on the road, conceded an average of 91 points over three games, a figure far too high to hope for victory. While Tim Blue shone once again, he’s the tree hiding a forest in poor condition. And in eight days, the unbeaten leader, Le Mans, is coming to the Azur Arena. Antibes moved to a negative record with 2 wins – 3 losses, ranking 12th in the standings.
