Long pushed around and clumsy, the reigning French basketball champion overcame the wear and tear of Bourg-en-Bresse (85-72) to win the first round of their semi-final at home this Thursday. The Rocher club will welcome the Bressans again on Saturday to take the break and come within one victory of qualifying for the final.
Still deprived of its offensive leaders Mike James and defensive John Brown, injured, the “Roca Team” had to wait until the last quarter to outrun its opponent in a match that had been closed for a long time and marked by numerous inaccuracies (33 lost balls). Strazel (14 pts) and Okobo (20 pts at 83% shooting including 2/2 long distance) made up for the absence of James, the second delivering a recital in the second half.