The Niss’Angels claim a painful 67-55 victory over Limoges and secure their ticket to the final. This Sunday at 5 PM against La Roche Vendée, Rachid Meziane’s protégés will play for promotion to the Women’s League and the title.
How long it took to take shape, how stressful it was at Leyrit, but what a beautiful relief it was. Limoges proved to be a more than tough opponent for a good thirty minutes, but the Nice team, led by a great Marie-Eve Paget, managed to be decisive during the crucial moments.
The first minutes are balanced. Astan Dabo is unstoppable and makes two blocks in three minutes (6-6, 4th minute). Marie-Eve Paget takes charge and hits a long-range shot (15-8, 8th minute). Shenita Landry, a key player of the Nice starting five, leaves the court due to two fouls, but the substitutions of Alice Nayo and Maïmouna Ba prove beneficial with two blocks from the latter. Only Limoges’ center Anita Meszaros stands out. Rachid Meziane’s players control the game and lead by nine points at the end of the first quarter (18-9).
But the response from the Limoges players should not be overlooked as they score a quick 5-0 at the start of the second quarter (24-22, 14th minute). The Nice players seem overwhelmed and are struggling in the paint. A real show from Isabelle Strunc (6 consecutive points) is needed to rebuild a significant lead, coupled with a three-pointer from Janelle Bekkering (35-26, 18th minute). The LABC tries to react with Sinico and Vaughn, but the Nice defense holds firm. Maïmouna Ba intercepts the last ball, securing the lead at halftime (37-28).
Cavi’ completely misses the start of the third quarter. Dabo, Paget, and Landry miss several easy shots. Limoges takes advantage to close the gap, thanks to their captain Sinico (44-39, 26th minute). Dabo thinks she’s putting her team back on track, but Limoges’ power forward, Vaughn, is elusive. With the smallest of margins at the end of the third quarter, all of Leyrit begins to doubt (46-45).
“We might have missed the third quarter, but we never doubted. Our strength is to raise our heads, even in difficult moments. A final isn’t played; it’s won,” said Marie-Eve Paget after the match.
The 6-0 run from Cavigal allows the thousand spectators to breathe easier (52-45, 32nd minute). The Landry-Paget duo takes advantage of LABC’s slump to create a lead that fluctuates between eight to ten points. Three minutes before the end of the match, Marie-Eve Paget brings all of Leyrit to their feet with a long-distance basket (65-53, 38th minute). She herself concludes the game with two free throws. Nice has come 50% of the way, but the remaining 50 will be the most challenging.
“We remain focused on what we have to do. We knew the strengths and weaknesses of this Limoges team, which gave us quite a few problems. The team performed well collectively, and everyone knows how to play their part,” Rachid Meziane explained at the press conference.
The Niss’Angels will start as favorites against a weakened Vendée team without their injured playmaker. Three weeks ago, at home, Nice won 78-57 and secured the Final Four at home. A psychological advantage, yes, but a final is always a unique match.
