The Élan Béarnais Pau Lacq Orthez celebrated a thrilling victory over Boulazac Dordogne Basket, defeating the leading team of Pro B 89-87 on December 27, 2024, at the Palais des Sports de Pau. This win not only showcased the resilience of the Béarnais but also marked the end of Boulazac's impressive seven-game winning streak.
The game was intensely competitive, featuring 23 lead changes and strong performances from several key players. The match began with Boulazac quickly taking the lead with their effective long-range shooting, but Pau's home court advantage and the support of their fans proved to be decisive. Bastien Pinault was particularly instrumental for Pau, scoring 21 points, and helping steer his team back on course after trailing early.
The drama unfolded as Boulazac, capitalizing on their shooting accuracy, managed to regain the lead just before halftime, creating palpable tension as both teams fought fiercely for control. Alexandre Ménard, the coach of Boulazac, had noted the significance of this match, emphasizing, "A victory at Pau would be their eighth consecutive win, just one step away from equaling last season's record series." His hopes, unfortunately, hinged on overcoming the historical challenge of winning at Pau—an achievement yet to be realized by Boulazac.
Despite missing their star player, Christopher Ledlum, Boulazac demonstrated resilience, with Ousman Krubally and Angelo Warner stepping up to contribute significantly on both ends of the court. The absence of Ledlum, argued Ménard, did not result in Boulazac playing remarkably worse, though the pressure was mounting as they aimed for their eighth straight victory.
Both teams exchanged leads throughout the game, making it evident to onlookers how tightly contested this match was. Boulazac established some significant advantages with strategic plays, including impressive shooting from beyond the arc. They finished the game with 18 successful three-pointers out of 34 attempted, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
Even trailing by as much as 11 points at times during the match, the Élan Béarnais did not give up, driven forward by their captain, Gaylor Curier, and newcomer Micah Speight. The last moments of the game were tense, with Pau holding on for dear life to maintain their lead as Boulazac made one last desperate push to come back but fell short.
With just seconds on the clock, and Boulazac scrambling for the equalizer, Ousman Krubally narrowly missed the chance to tie, as Sitraka Raharimanantoanina made a key block. This dramatic finish boosted Pau’s morale, emphasizing the importance of this win to regain confidence going forward. Post-match, Élan Béarnais' coach Mickaël Hay remarked on the urgency displayed by his players, saying, "We showed the muscles to impose ourselves against the top team. This victory gives us priceless momentum as we head toward the rest of the season."
Pau now shifts its focus to upcoming fixtures, eyeing the playoffs as they climb up the Pro B standings. After this fantastic win, they hope to maintain this form against future opponents, starting with their next match on January 7 against Paris Basket.
Meanwhile, Boulazac remains atop the Pro B leaderboard, with their eyes set on continuing their success and bouncing back from this challenging encounter. Coach Ménard acknowledged the importance of maintaining perspective, noting, "Despite the setback, our goal remains to compete strongly and retain our place at the top—this match is just one of many as we continue our quest for the title." The loss may sting, but their record assures them of contention for the Leaders Cup as the season heads toward its next stage.
