For their first Betclic Élite match, the Roca Team starts their season with a win on Le Portel’s court (84-63). A serious victory that helps to maintain high confidence levels.
This Sunday, AS Monaco Basket began their Betclic Élite season on Le Portel’s court. Vassilis Spanoulis’s men arrived full of confidence, following their Super Cup success last weekend. A trip, on paper, favorable for the Roca Team.
The players from the Rock missed their first quarter (14-17). Matthew Strazel’s teammates did not really get into their game. The Monégasques displayed too many inaccuracies. At the end of this first act, the Roca Team was one for ten from three-point range. Many missed open shots illustrate this failed start for the men in black this afternoon.
The only small satisfaction of this first quarter is Terry Tarpey’s individual performance, who had four points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks.
A second quarter of better quality
Starting slowly, the Monégasques gradually rediscovered their shooting touch. They pushed the Portel players more into committing fouls. Seven personal fouls in this second quarter, compared to five in the first. They also forced the northern team to take much more difficult shots. A tactic that paid off, as Grant Kenny’s men went from 50% shooting in the first quarter to 20% in the second.
Thanks to two very intense final minutes, the Rock men took a big lead just before halftime (38-29). A nine-point gap at the break, the largest of the game so far. The Monégasques turned the tide in rebound battles. In the first ten minutes, Vassilis Spanoulis’s players grabbed eight rebounds to Le Portel’s 13. During the second quarter, the Roca Team secured 12 rebounds to the Portel players’ seven.
A decisive return from the Roca Team
During the first two minutes, Vassilis Spanoulis’s players still seemed to be in the locker room. This allowed the northern team to come within four points of the Monégasques. Le Portel’s joy was short-lived. This minor lapse quickly served as a wake-up call for the Roca Team, which then strung together eleven consecutive points, extending the lead to over fifteen points (52-37).
Elie Okobo’s teammates managed this impressive lead and even increased it just before the start of the last quarter (63-45). With a brief acceleration, AS Monaco Basket moved towards victory. The difference in level between the two teams became evident as they came back from the break.
In the last quarter, the Monégasques controlled the game. Without much effort, they easily won on Le Portel’s court (84-63). The northern team did not disgrace themselves, but there was a significant gap between the two teams.
An effortless victory that allows them to approach the next game with a positive and relaxed mindset. The Roca Team will begin their Euroleague campaign this Wednesday at 7:30 PM on their home court. The Rock players will host the Lithuanian team Zalgiris Kaunas.
