Nice and La Roche-sur-Yon are having quite similar regular seasons: three wins and fifteen losses in twenty-one matches. In the Women’s Basketball League, the future of these two teams will be decided in the play-downs, so it was imperative for the players of Cavigal to win this crucial bottom-table clash.
The protégées of Wani Muganguzi knew it. On the court of Leyrit Hall, they couldn’t afford to make mistakes against Roche Vendée, second to last in the championship standings. Nice, being the bottom team, had to put an end to this series of eight consecutive defeats… Mission accomplished!
One key word: win
“In all humility, we knew that we could win,” admits the Nice coach. “We had to play this important match while respecting our game plans.” From the very beginning of the game, the Azuréennes showed their command of the topic but failed to create a significant point gap (10-8, 5’). Exemplified by Morgane Armant’s basket, the Niçoises executed real collective work in the paint (19-14, 10’). During these first ten minutes, the guard Mamignan Touré was flawless (three successful shots, including two three-pointers). At the start of the second quarter, the Niss’Angels upped their game both offensively and defensively. Ten points separated the two teams (26-16, 13’). Time-out. In the visitors’ camp, doubt gradually set in: a lot of waste, notably on long shots (0% success rate), as well as numerous fouls. On the free throws obtained, the locals maintained a certain lead before the break (36-27, 20’).
Pushed around, sure, but calm nonetheless
“Usually, the beginning of the second half is favorable for us, but this time, returning from the locker room is difficult,” regrets Wani Muganguzi. La Roche-sur-Yon came back with a vengeance. Aggressive, the Vendéennes caught up three times (38-38, 23’). The Azuréennes, confident, instinctively reassessed themselves and took the lead again (42-40, 25’). “Mentally, we have really improved,” praises the Cavigal coach. Yet each time, Bernadette Ngoyisa closed the gap (47-45, 27’). The referees blew the whistle to end the third round: 51-51. Everything was still to play for. Iva Cuzic and her partners reclaimed control of the match (51-53, 31’). But only for a short while. Led by an Alix Duchet more active than ever, the locals redoubled their efforts (60-58, 37’). The only downside was the injury, “presumably muscular,” of Kendall Cooper. The absence of the American center didn’t hinder her teammates. They even managed the longest scoring run, adding 9 points. Final whistle: 68-60. The Niss’Angels rejoiced as they secured their first victory of the championship’s second half. After the match, the Nice coach praised the performances of his players, particularly Mamignan Touré and Jordie Cornelie Sigmundova, who scored forty points. “These two young women work so hard, they deserved to be rewarded,” he said with satisfaction.
Solène FALAISE
