After a tough start to the weekend with a game against Partizan Belgrade, AS Monaco Basketball returned to winning ways in Betclic Elite by beating Strasbourg 95-81. The victory earned the Roca Team their eighth consecutive win in the domestic French league.
Just 48 hours after their hard-fought battle against Partizan Belgrade in the EuroLeague, Monaco faced Strasbourg at the Rhénus Sport arena on 9th February. The team was without Elie Okobo and Vitto Brown, but their absences didn’t hamper the spirit of the Roca Team—every Monaco player got on the scoreboard.
Coach Vassilis Spanoulis opted for a starting five of Mike James, Matthew Strazel, Terry Tarpey, Petr Cornelie and Mam Jaiteh. Strasbourg, eager to make a statement at home, opened the scoring with back-to-back three-pointers, but Strazel responded in kind. Monaco quickly tightened their defence, allowing Tarpey to score in transition with a dunk. The early exchanges were intense, but the visitors soon took control.
Jaiteh asserted his presence in the paint, while James drained a contested three-pointer to give Monaco a 15-12 lead. Strazel added a driving finish before Jordan Loyd found his rhythm with two consecutive long-range shots. By the end of a high-paced first quarter, the Roca Team had moved further ahead.
Monaco’s physical edge proves decisive
Early in the second quarter, Monaco continued to dominate physically. A well-timed assist from James allowed Donatas Motiejunas to extend the lead to double digits, followed by a powerful dunk from Jaron Blossomgame.
When Blossomgame picked up a technical foul, Monaco needed a response. Strazel provided it with a mid-range jumper, followed by another deep three from James. Monaco maintained control, but Strasbourg stayed within reach thanks to some sharp shooting. A late first-half push brought the hosts closer, but Alpha Diallo restored Monaco’s cushion.
James leads the charge after halftime
Returning from the break at 42-39, James immediately imposed himself—first with a tough baseline jumper, then with a signature three-pointer off an inbound play. Strasbourg attempted to increase the tempo, but Cornelie and James responded well, while Diallo cleverly drew an offensive foul. Blossomgame then broke free for a thunderous dunk to maintain Monaco’s momentum.
Midway through the third quarter, the game became more physical, with both sides intensifying their defence. Blossomgame was ejected after receiving an unsportsmanlike foul, but Monaco stayed composed. Loyd and Motiejunas capitalised on Strasbourg’s mistakes to keep the visitors ahead.
Strasbourg missed a series of crucial opportunities to close the gap, while the Roca Team remained clinical—Loyd struck from deep, Cornelie converted free throws and added a dunk, pushing the lead to eight points entering the final quarter.
Monaco finish in style
Determined to close the game out, Monaco found their shooting rhythm, with Juhann Begarin, Strazel and Tarpey all hitting from beyond the arc, while the defence stifled Strasbourg’s attacks. A lightning-fast transition, finished by Strazel, extended the lead to 20 points (86-66).
Despite a late Strasbourg surge, Monaco controlled the final minutes. A three-pointer from Georgios Papagiannis helped maintain their advantage, and when Strasbourg cut the deficit to 10, Jaiteh responded with an and-one to put the game beyond doubt.
With a solid collective performance, AS Monaco have reinforced their status at the top of Betclic Elite. They now turn their focus to the Leaders Cup this coming weekend.
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Photo source: AS Monaco Basket