Authors of a remarkable final quarter, the Antibes Sharks end the Pro A season with an 80-71 victory on Rouen’s court. The team effort was highlighted, with five players scoring 10 points or more.
And one last for the road. Almost a year after the Pro B play-off final against Denain, Julien Espinosa and his men secure a fourteenth victory and finish 12th in the standings. As often, there were high moments but also lows, as showcased by the third quarter.
In control
The match in Normandy begins in the best possible way with a 6-0 start, but the locals come back to 8-8 before a back-and-forth ensues until the end of the first quarter (16-16). Moustapha Fall, in barely ten minutes, already records 6 points and 5 rebounds. In the 2nd QT, it is the captain, Mam Diarra, who paves the way with a 3-pointer that creates the first real gap in this match (25-20, 12th). This is also the moment chosen by Will Solomon to score his only three points of the game (30-24, 16th). The strong play of Bernard King and Akil Mitchell allows Antibes to lead at halftime (36-30).
Always the failure of the 3rd QT…
Yes, but as we have become accustomed, the return from the lockers is often a pivotal moment for the Antibes team. The last match of the season is no exception. The visitors take an eight-point lead thanks to Fall and Carter, but the gap narrows over the minutes (42-41, 22nd) and Rouen takes the lead in the 24th minute (51-49) driven by a “on fire” Ron Lewis. Antibes is in a chase position. The locals lead 59-57 at the start of the last QT.
Action, reaction
Unstoppable, Guerschon Yabusele troubles Antibes in the paint and RMB widens the gap (59-64, 32nd). But Mam Diarra also has the hot hand and scores five points in a row, the Sharks take the lead (66-64, 34th). The money-time will only benefit the visitors who go on a 10-3 run in the final two minutes with a valuable Bernard King in the 2 position. Unlike Friday (loss against Havre), the Azuréens dominated the rebound battle (46 including 12 offensive) and lost fewer balls than their match average (12).
See you in September for the start of the Pro A season. The Sharks, easily saved, will play a second consecutive season. Julien Espinosa will remain the coach. As for the players, it is highly uncertain, leading to long weeks of negotiations for the recruitment or extension of various players.
