AS Monaco Basketball have earned their fourth consecutive win in the Betclic Elite, defeating Nanterre 81–73 over the weekend despite the absence of key players, including Mike James.
Although James and Vitto Brown were rested for the match at the Maurice-Thorez Sports Palace on Saturday, 11th January, Monaco fielded a strong lineup bolstered by the return of Alpha Diallo.
The game began evenly, with both teams trading baskets in a closely contested first quarter that ended 18–18. Petr Cornelie made his presence felt early, while Matthew Strazel’s sharp shooting from beyond the arc kept the Roca Team competitive. Elie Okobo also played a significant role, showcasing his accuracy from three-point range.
In the second quarter, Monaco tightened their defence, limiting Nanterre to just six points over a five-minute stretch. Strazel and Donatas Motiejunas extended Monaco’s lead to 36–26, but a late surge from the hosts saw Nanterre close the gap to 39–40 at halftime.
The third quarter saw continued resilience from both sides. Monaco struggled with turnovers, allowing Nanterre to pull ahead briefly. However, strong contributions from Mam Jaiteh and Jordan Loyd kept the Principality side within striking distance, trailing by just one point (54–55) heading into the final period.
Monaco faced a significant challenge in the fourth quarter, falling behind by as much as 10 points. Strazel stepped up in critical moments, hitting a crucial three-pointer to spark a comeback. Loyd followed with a spectacular four-point play, bringing Monaco within one point.
Despite Okobo’s ejection due to a second technical foul, the Roca Team rallied in the closing minutes. Key plays from Loyd and Strazel, including an and-one from the latter, sealed the game for Monaco. A strong defensive stand in the final moments ensured Nanterre could not recover, and the Roca Team secured an 81–73 victory.
Following the game, Okobo issued a formal apology for his outburst on the court.
“I would like to apologise to the entire officiating team for my behaviour last night. It was unacceptable and has no place on a basketball court. This is not the image I want to convey. Emotions sometimes take over, but that is no excuse,” he said. “I would like to extend my apologies again to Freddy Lepercq and, above all, to the young people who follow me and see me as a role model. I am a competitor, and I must uphold better values on the court than I did yesterday.”
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Photo source: AS Monaco Basketball
