Just days after triumphing over Paris Basketball in the EuroLeague, AS Monaco Basketball reaffirmed their dominance with a commanding 94-63 victory against the capital’s team in a Betclic Elite match-up. In this top-of-the-table clash, the Monegasque side put on a defensive masterclass, stifling their Parisian opponents in a thrilling Gaston Médecin game at home.
For this 21st round of Betclic Elite action, the Roca Team faced Paris Basketball for the second time in just four days. Fresh from their EuroLeague victory in the French capital, Monaco now had the home-court advantage at the packed Salle Gaston Médecin court in Monaco on 9th March.
With the league’s top spot at stake, the match promised high intensity, and it did not disappoint.
Both teams started with focus, executing their game plans well. Early on, Elie Okobo and Alpha Diallo gave Monaco a slight edge, but Paris responded by picking up the pace. The Roca Team’s defence held firm, however, and Mike James soon found his rhythm, scoring with a confident jump shot.
With Monaco threatening to pull away, Paris tried hard to stay in touch, but their efforts were dampened by a strong performance from their opponents, particularly Monaco’s Terry Tarpey, who was a solid force. Regardless of Paris’ attempts to maintain their pace, a late push by Monaco saw them take a six-point advantage going into half-time.
Paris came out of the locker room with renewed vigour as TJ Shorts orchestrated their attack, but the Rocas responded as a unit, moving the ball well and finding Mam Jaiteh to restore their lead. The game became increasingly physical, particularly under the net, with Diallo and James stepping up.
The decisive moment came when Monaco shifted into another gear, pulling away as Paris struggled to cope. Okobo extended the lead to 20 points, and from there, the visitors never looked likely to mount a comeback.
This 94-63 win propels AS Monaco Basketball to the top of the Betclic Elite standings, solidifying their place as the team to beat.
“The team played great basketball today,” Vassilis Spanoulis, AS Monaco Head Coach, said after the game. “We worked together—both offensively and defensively—and it showed. This wasn’t an easy game, as Paris are a strong team, but we stayed focused. Now, we need to remain humble and continue this momentum. There are big challenges ahead, and we will get back to training to prepare for them.”
James led the way as high scorer with 22 points, five rebounds and six assists. Diallo contributed 10 points, while Mathew Strazel, Jaiteh and Okobo each chipped in with nine points apiece.
AS Monaco Basketball now turns their attention to EuroLeague action, where they face a tough away fixture against Maccabi Tel Aviv on 13th March.
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Photo source: AS Monaco Basketball