The Roca Team defeated CSP Limoges, 99 to 88. After a challenging first quarter, Vassilis Spanoulis’ men managed to prevail despite an offensive breakdown in the final quarter.
Without shining, the Roca Team overcame CSP Limoges on Saturday at Gaston Médecin (99-88). An important victory to maintain their current momentum, but one that reveals some vulnerabilities in the Monaco team.
AS Monaco Basket hosted CSP Limoges for the 16th day of Betclic Élite. The Monégasques are aiming for an eleventh consecutive win across all competitions. On the other hand, Limoges is struggling, with only two wins in their last ten games.
The Roca Team starts on the back foot
The Roca Team was shaken from the start of the match. The players from the Rock endured the intensity of CSP Limoges. Dario Gjergja’s men were looking to make a big impact this Saturday at Gaston Médecin. The Limoges team was tough on defense, and the Monégasques were staggering. Mike James’ teammates had eight turnovers, of which six were intercepted by CSP players in the first quarter.
Limoges was clinical at the basket. The men in yellow tonight achieved 6/6 on two-point shots in the first ten minutes, and 2/5 from beyond the arc. This finishing touch allowed them to end the first quarter in the lead (22-26). The Monégasques, struggling at the start, were dominant in rebounding (11 to 6), an event rare enough to note.
The trend reversed, the Roca Team asserts the hierarchy
While Limoges was clinical in the first quarter, this was no longer the case in the second. CSP players dropped below a 45% shooting success rate during this act. On their side, the Roca Team lost far fewer balls, showing more precision in both passing and shooting.
Vassilis Spanoulis’ men had a good run at the basket. They scored five three-pointers on ten attempts. A second quarter largely in favor of the Roca Team (31-18). The Principality’s players held a nine-point lead (53-44) as they headed to the locker room.
An easy win for the Roca Team
The third act of the game was one-sided. AS Monaco Basket didn’t want to be caught off guard and increased the gap to secure the game against a potential Limoges comeback. They held a 22-point lead on the scoreboard (87-65) with ten minutes left. Vassilis Spanoulis rotated his players, giving playtime to the entire team.
The Rocher’s men experienced an offensive drought at the start of the final quarter. The Monégasques scored their first points after more than six minutes of play. Meanwhile, Limoges closed to within nine points and started to believe in a comeback. Monaco finally won 99 to 88. A victory without flair, but it secured them an eleventh consecutive win.
Real Madrid in sight for the Roca Team
The Roca Team is preparing for a new week with three matches. It will start with two EuroLeague games, hosting Red Star Belgrade (January 20), before heading to Spain for a clash against Real Madrid (January 22). There will be one final Betclic Élite match against Saint-Quentin (January 25).
