Villeneuve-d’Ascq and Lattes-Montpellier win their LFB quarter-final first leg

Everything has not yet been decided between Villeneuve-d’Ascq and Angers. Led by Kariata Diaby (18 points on 7/10) and Janelle Salaün (17 points and 7 rebounds), the European vice-champions won their first leg in the quarterfinals in Angers (82-73). But the nine-point gap allows the Angevines to stay alive before heading to the Palacium on Tuesday (20:50) for the return leg, knowing that qualification is based on the points difference over the two games overall.

The Nordics led by 12 points at halftime, and were surprised by Jasmine Bailey (18 points) and Leïla Lacan (12 points) in the third quarter: 34-20 in favor of UFAB who took the lead, 65-63. But ESBVA used experience to set the record straight heading into the eighth of the regular season. More adept near the circle, the Northerners straightened the situation by scoring the majority of their baskets inside the zone (7 baskets of 8 converted) to regain the lead and win (82-73).

Charnay did not resist

Hope lasted only twenty minutes for the Burgundians. After four points at halftime (33-37), Charnay was unable to answer Lattes-Montpellier after returning from the locker room. Ameryst Alston’s teammates (20 points) outscored their opponents 24-11 in the third quarter to take the lead.

The promoted team had no success at distance (7/28) while the Montpellier team could count on a good three points to punish the places left by the Burgundy team (12/22). With five players with more than 10 points, the Héraultais were effective in attack to manage the lead in the closing minutes. Shakayla Thomas’ 20 points were not enough for the promoted team, who lost at home (77-62).

The second leg in Montpellier on Tuesday (19:00) will be difficult for CBBS who need to win by more than 15 points beforehand to reach the semi-finals of the play-offs. They will have to rely on the performances of Thomas and Kate Vilka (17 points at 5/6 so far, Friday night) to create a surprise.