Le Mans wins close game in final seconds

In a thrilling Sunday 7 p.m. game, Le Mans defeated Bourg-en-Bresse 91-90 in a tightly contested match that showcased the high level of play in the Betclic ELITE league. The game was highlighted by a dramatic last-second alley-oop by Lucas Dufeal of Le Mans, which secured the victory for his team.

Dufeal's redemption play

Dufeal, who had previously been the unfortunate hero when a buzzer-beater by Nadir Hifi of Paris secured a win for his team two weeks earlier, was at the center of a perfect play orchestrated by Guillaume Vizade, the coach of Le Mans. With just 2.2 seconds remaining, Dufeal executed the alley-oop after a well-placed pass from Bastien Grasshoff, who contributed 19 evaluation points to the game.

Execution of the winning play

The play was set up by Carlos Stewart and Moses Wood, who executed decoy moves to create space for Dufeal. Initially defended by Keith Jordan, Dufeal found himself facing Trey Woodbury, who is 11 centimeters taller at the rim. Dufeal managed to jump and score, sealing the win for Le Mans.

Bourg-en-Bresse struggles in second half

This victory was particularly significant for Le Mans, as it demonstrated their ability to execute high-pressure plays under the clock. For Bourg-en-Bresse, the loss was a bitter one, as they now sit at 14th in the league with six losses in their last seven official matches. Despite their efforts, the team struggled in the second half, only managing a +4 lead when they went back to the locker room.

Bourg-en-Bresse captain reflects

Lionel Gaudoux, the captain of Bourg-en-Bresse, expressed his disappointment, acknowledging the team's effort and quality but also pointing out the small mistakes that cost them the game. He stated, "The truth is that we are not far, it could have gone our way but it didn't."

Game highlights league intensity

The game was a testament to the intensity and skill displayed in the Betclic ELITE league, with both teams showing their capabilities, but ultimately, Le Mans emerged victorious with a last-second play that will be remembered.