No matter the injuries, this SIG Strasbourg is moving forward. Although deprived of three players, coach Banchi’s team won on the JDA Dijon floor 85 to 72 for their 2th match of the Top 16 of the Basketball Champions League and thus ensure alone the 1time Group I place. Who said winning was impossible? Well done gentlemen!
THE DEAL
Second match of the Basketball Champions League Top 16 for SIG Strasbourg away to Dijon. An oh so complicated match against a very fit JDA, but which was even more so at kick-off after the announcement of the absence of JB Maille which was added to those of Matt Mitchell and Léo Cavalière. But who cares about the team on the starting line, this SIG Strasbourg has no vocation to abdicate.
Quarter #1: McDuffie’s sons touch each other…
Very serious start to the game for both teams. The players responded to each other on both sides of the field and for SIG Strasbourg Paul Lacombe carried the game forward. His 7pts in 4′ did a lot of good and, thanks to him, the SIGmen took control of the match: 11-12, 4’30. Dijon quickly went back in front, but then came the fact of the match of the 1time period. A rebounding battle in the key between Rodions Kurucs and Markis McDuffie turned into a schoolboy feud when the JDA player decided to slap Rodions while he was down. Total misunderstanding… But logical exclusion of McDuffie! The match continued and we were witnessing a festival of skill. Nobody missed shots, Bodian showed a hyper conquering face (8pts-2rbs-2pds) and Gavin Ware made a remarkable entrance with 8pts authoritarian. Coach Banchi’s team looked great and played eye to eye with the JDA (23-23, 7’30), and better still, our players’ 76.5% success rate made it possible to switch to head : 29-32, 10′ (years: 35-40).
Quarter #2: exemplary!
Our team bravely played its luck. Captain Dre was once again exemplary and his rage to win transpired on the field. The defensive commitment of our warriors was undoubtedly spectacular. No one cheated, no one was spared and, unsurprisingly, our players maintained this advantage: 31-37, 13′. Dijon played the hyper-aggressive card, but that didn’t impress anyone. The SIGmen were in their match, Paul Lacombe already in Swiss Army knife mode, Markus Keene effective and Lucas Beaufort defended like a dog. Time passed and our address barely dropped. The ball was shared with intelligence, the choice of shots well felt and we could only salute the performance when we saw the 47pts scored in 18 minutes: 39-46. So much so that, led by a magical quartet for 20 minutes, the SIG Strasbourg gave us a first period of fire. Dre 14pts, Paul and Marcus 11pts or even Bo’ 10pts, the Strasbourg attack had just made the difference by sailing on a very solid 67% success rate: 41-50, 20′ (years: 46-62).
Quarter #3: Holston wakes up
Our team did not let go when they returned from the locker room. Rodions planted, Bodian was still as incisive and Paul pulled out of this very spectacular game. Thus 3’30 after the break, the SIGmen were still 9pts ahead of a JDA who could not find the parade: 49-58, 23’30. But David Holston did not intend to let his team let the law dictate on his floor. He took things in hand and added 9pts to his counter in a few moments to bring the JDA back to 4pts: 58-62, 25’30. Panic on board? Absolutely not. DeAndre Lansdowne was authoritarian and our captain was perfectly supported by his faithful lieutenant Paul Lacombe to get some air: 58-66, 28′. But let’s be honest, this period was to the credit of coach Markovic’s team, which was solid despite everything to finish strong and be only 3pts behind with 10 ‘from the end: 63-66 (year: 68-80).
Quarter #4: Marcus the “Kleene-matizer”
He was not going to have to let go, no matter how tired. Marcus Keene understood this well and led the game with accuracy. He had one or two questionable choices of shots, but how could you blame him, as the boy recited a beautiful score. Without panicking our players fought to have no regrets. Thus, the score went from 63-71 (32’30) to 68-75 at 36th and the JDA staff was forced to take a time-out to try to find a solution. Robin Ducoté maintained a tiny hope, but Marcus “Kleene-matized” the room by slamming a clinic on his own at the end of the match. His clutch attitude was matched only by his cold blood to this boy. On his own, he killed the last hopes of Dijon who had to face the facts: abnegation, aggressiveness, intensity and desire were made in Strasbourg during this match won brilliantly by the SIGmen on the SCORE FINAL 72-85 (éval : 76-106).
By ending the match with a 9-19, the SIGmen showed their seriousness until the last second. Marcus Keene (22pts-7pds-6pds) was once again exceptional, Paul Lacombe signed his best career evaluation in the European Cup (30) thanks to his 18pts, 7pds and 6rbs, Bodian Massa showed himself under his best angle, exemplary DeAndre and in the end we just want to say thank you. Thank you gentlemen for this new quality service. Despite the incredible bad luck that falls on the club and its overcrowded infirmary, you never give up and we like that! You celebrate honor to your colors! No matter the adversity, we believe in you!
The match in speed
JDA DIJON – SIG STRASBOURG 72-85. Sports Palace JM Geoffroy. Referees: Messrs. Liszka (POL), Salins (LET) and Vulic (CRO).
Periods: 29-32, 12-18 (halftime: 41-50), 22-16 (63-66), 9-19.
