AS Monaco Basketball left it late to ensure the victory against newly-promoted Saint Quentin (77-75), but continued their winning run upon their return to the Salle Gaston Médecin.
The Roca Team had looked to be sauntering to a comfortable victory to celebrate their return to the Principality. Midway through the second quarter, Monaco had constructed a 12-point lead (32-20) following a Donta Hall dunk. However, for many months, the Roca Team have struggled in the third quarter, and it was once again the case against Saint-Quentin.
Not only did Sasa Obradovic’s side let their lead slip, they allowed Saint-Quentin to construct a sizeable lead of their own. Monaco entered into the final quarter with a 10-point deficit, and with just 2:23 on the clock, they were still eight behind.
However, with the result on the line, Monaco raised their game, notably in the defensive phases, with John Brown III once again crucial, as Mike James (19 points) scored an and one to level the scores (75-75). It was money-time Mike who then stepped up in the final possession of the game to send the home crowd into raptures, launching a two-pointer to decide the game (77-75).
Obradovic: “We didn’t play a good match”
Monaco therefore took the victory by the most slender of margins and extended this season’s winning run to three games, therefore retaining their place at the top of the Betclic Elite tree.
Understandably, however, Obradovic wasn’t impressed.
“We didn’t play a good match. I don’t know how we won it. We need to erase last season from our minds. We think we are too good. We need to change the image we have of ourselves. Tonight, we were lucky, but we can’t rely on that every match,” said the Roca Team coach.
Bigger tests await Monaco, notably on Sunday when they will face Lyon-Villeurbanne, ahead of the beginning of the Euroleague season next Friday.
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Photo source: AS Monaco Basket