The Roca Team won 81 to 76 on the court of Nanterre 92. A victory obtained with difficulty, but that allows the team from Monaco to widen the gap on their runner-up.
AS Monaco Basket had a real scare! The players from the Rock won in Nanterre, 81 to 76. They secured their 11th consecutive victory in Betclic Élite, despite the turbulent period the Principality club is currently experiencing.
The Roca Team traveled to the court of Nanterre this Sunday evening. The Maurice Thorez Sports Palace was sold out for this exciting matchup. It was a top clash, between the top two teams in the Betclic Élite championship. With a delicate context, AS Monaco Basket didn’t approach this game with full confidence. On the other side, Nanterre 92 was on a seven-game winning streak.
From the start of the match, the players from the Principality were trailing in the score. They faced difficulties in these first minutes. Once again this season, the Monaco players were dominated in rebounds. Daniel Theis and his teammates only grabbed six rebounds, compared to 13 for the Ile-de-France team. Vassilis Spanoulis’s men ended this first quarter seven points behind their evening opponent (17-24).
The Roca Team regains control
AS Monaco Basket showed a completely different face in the second quarter. The Roca Team dominated overwhelmingly in rebounds. The team recovered 15 balls, compared to seven for the Ile-de-France team. This dominance translated into the score, with the Monaco team coming back into the game. This time, it was Vassilis Spanoulis’s men who headed to the locker room with a seven-point lead (45-38).
If the Roca Team managed to come back so quickly to the score, it was largely thanks to their defense. Beyond the rebound duels, the Monaco players benefited from the opponent’s immense lack of accuracy. Nanterre 92 had a dismal 16% shooting success rate in this second quarter. The only bad news for the Rock was the exclusion of Terry Tarpey for two technical fouls.
The Roca Team widens the gap
AS Monaco Basket once again faced difficulties against the opponent in rebounds. Nevertheless, the Monaco players maintained the pace in scoring. They widened the gap thanks to an excellent three-point shooting percentage in this third quarter. They posted a 5/8 in this exercise. This accuracy beyond the three-point line made the difference in the score. The Principality club began the final quarter with a 12-point lead (68-56).
The Roca Team completely collapses
The start of the fourth quarter was terrible for Vassilis Spanoulis’s men. In less than four minutes, the gap narrowed and Elie Okobo’s teammates had only a three-point lead (70-67). At this point in the game, Nanterre had already claimed its sixth offensive rebound. Bad news never comes alone! Nemanja Nedovic cracked mentally and lashed out at the referees. He was sent to the locker room for a second technical foul, just like Terry Tarpey earlier in the game.
After enduring a terrible 18-2 run, the Roca Team attempted to bounce back through Elie Okobo. They scored seven consecutive points that allowed them to take back the lead. Thanks to better precision in the final moments of this game, the Roca Team won 81 to 76. A hard-fought victory, but one that allows the Monaco players to maintain their first place in Betclic Élite.
The Coupe de France in sight for the Roca Team
It’s a week with two matches awaiting the Roca Team. Vassilis Spanoulis’s men will travel to the court of ASVEL to play their quarter-final of the Coupe de France (February 17). The week will conclude at the Gaston Médecin court, with the reception of Strasbourg (February 20). A match that will count for the Leaders Cup.
