What suspense and emotion!
It was at the buzzer that the Niss’Angels, still weakened by the absence of their playmakers Alix Duchet and Camille Auber, conceded defeat to the valiant northern team from Hainaut, who seized the opportunity to secure an unexpected victory.
After a closely contested match, captain Romy Bär, who gave her all throughout the game, equalized (75-75) with 2 seconds left on the clock, but the last possession proved fatal for the team from Nice.
The score progression reflects the impression of a very balanced game, played with fierce determination: 42-42 at halftime, +1 for Nice in the third quarter, leading 67-63 (their best advantage) with 6’23” remaining.
Fatigue, mistakes on the Nice side (with 4/16 in three-point shots, success was elusive!) shifted the game in favor of the enterprising visitors: 69-73 with 2’29” to go.
Then the finale, with alternating hope and disappointment as Hainaut left with the two points in their pocket.
A rough patch for Romy Bär and her teammates, marking their third defeat in the week (Mondeville in the championship, Angers in the Cup).
They will return to the court next Thursday for the first leg of the Eurocup: it’s the Turkish team Bellona Agü who will visit them.
Then the championship will resume: the team from Nice will travel to Tarbes on Sunday to try to get back on the success track.
Cavigal-Hainaut 75-77 (24-28, 18-14, 15-14, 18-21)
Stats: Victoria Macaulay 21 points, Romy Bär 9 rebounds and 11 assists
