The scenario was completely different in this second match of the Betclic Elite playoff final between Monaco and Boulogne-Levallois, but the result was the same.
After dominating the debates in the first match on Saturday evening (87-64), the Roca Team was in more difficulty in this match, especially after the start of the Mets 92, launched by a “rainbow shot” from Victor Wembanyama to attack the game by a 10-0 in which “Wemby” was preponderant, finishing or passing.
The debates were balanced at the end of the first act concluded by the 3-pointers of Mathew Strazel (15-26), Monaco having rectified the situation before the break to return to +1 (50-49). In particular, there was a big passage from the Lloyd-Brown III pair, then two dunks from Alpha Diallo to reverse the trend, while it was Elie Okobo who put Monaco back in the lead, with a free throw (48-47 ).
Mike James to kill the match
The tension rose a notch during a still tight third quarter, with the Besson-Wembanyama pair to hold the house on the Boulogne-Levallois side (73-71). On the other hand, the Parisians could not do anything against the 10-2 placed by the players of the Rock from the start of the fourth quarter with Jordan Lloyd (23 points) and Mathew Strazel skilful from afar to explode Gaston-Médecin ( 83-73).
Donta Hall’s dunk and Elie Okobo’s lay-up allowed Monaco to keep the pressure on even though two baskets from Barry Brown and two shots from Victor Wembanyama brought Boulogne-Levallois to 5 lengths (91-86). Always present in hot moments, it was then Mike James who delivered his people from a basket at mid-distance after a spin-move in front of Barry Brown. In the process, Alpha Diallo offered himself a last dunk to seal the victory with the score of 95 to 88.
Behind Tashawn Thomas and his 18 points, Victor Wembanyama finished with the second best evaluation of his team (22), at 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks, while Bilal Coulibaly compiled 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.
Led 2-0, the Mets 92 will return to “home” this Thursday (8:30 p.m.), for a relocated match at Roland-Garros which will be sold out.
