Bressans Edge Elan Chalon 81-79 in Tense BCM Derby
Table of Contents
- 1. Bressans Edge Elan Chalon 81-79 in Tense BCM Derby
- 2. A Suspenseful Endgame
- 3. Standout Performances
- 4. Turnovers.
- 5. Key Players & Statistical Highlights
- 6. Turning Points & Clutch Moments
- 7. Tactical Analysis
- 8. Impact on Season & Standings
- 9. Fan & Media Reaction
- 10. Practical Takeaways for Coaches
- 11. Statistical Snapshot (Key Numbers)
Breaking from the BCM floor, the young Bressans survived a gripping showdown to defeat Elan Chalon 81-79, extending their winning streak to three in the league adn keeping them in the top seven as the season pauses for a break.
The opening minutes told a harsh story for Bourg. They trailed 2-9 after just 2:30, forcing coach Nicolas Croisy to call a speedy timeout. The early dip came with a rebounding disadvantage and a handful of turnovers, leaving Chalon ahead 16-23 at the end of the first period.
Momentum shifted in the next ten minutes as Bourg tightened defensively and leaned on Ahmad Dekaki to spark a rally.Mateo Vigneault answered for the visitors with two long-range baskets, but Bourg countered with a crucial 16-0 run to seize a double-digit lead. The bressans went into the locker room up 44-35, thanks to disciplined defense and a late push.
A Suspenseful Endgame
Back from the break, a fast start for Chalon culminated in an alley-oop between Mateo Vigneault and Sohann Mendy that sparked another surge. The visitors closed the third quarter strong and carried a 57-56 edge into the final period.
Ten minutes remained of drama. The chalonnaise series kept forcing the pace, and Bourg found themselves clinging to a 61-64 deficit. The lead swapped hands in a tense stretch, until Juwrin Ekanga-Ehawawa answered with seven straight points to put bourg back on top. With 19 seconds left, Mateo Vigneault drained a three to pull Elan within one, but bourg sealed it at the line as the clock expired, 81-79.
Standout Performances
- MVP: Ahmad Dekaki – 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal; total rating 21.
- Top scorer: Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa – 21 points.
- Top rebounder: Milanese meadow – 9 rebounds.
- Top passer: Isaac Guedegbe – 6 assists.
What it means
The victory provides Bourg with a feel-good result heading into a vacation period, while keeping them in the top seven. The win also highlighted the team’s balance, with multiple players contributing in crunch time. As the league takes its break, Bourg will look to translate this late-game resilience into sustained momentum when action resumes.
| key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Final score | 81-79, Bourg (Bressans) over Elan chalon |
| MVP | Ahmad Dekaki – 18p, 6r, 2b, 1st; 21 efficiency |
| Top scorer | juwan Ekanga-Ehawa – 21p |
| Top rebounder | Milanese meadow – 9 rebounds |
| Top passer | Isaac Guedegbe – 6 assists |
| Notable run | Bressans’ 16-0 second-quarter swing |
as fans head into the season’s pause, questions rise about who will carry this momentum forward and how Bourg will deploy its depth when play resumes. The derby delivered drama, a testament to the league’s competitive balance and the value of poise under pressure.
Was Bourg’s late-game resilience the defining factor? Which player should be highlighted most as the schedule resumes?
Share this breaking update with fellow fans and add your thoughts in the comments below.
Turnovers.
Game overview – Bressans vs. Élan Chalon (81‑79)
Date: 20 December 2025 | Venue: Le Colisée, Chalon-sur‑Saône
- Final Score: bressans 81, Élan Chalon 79
- Result: Third straight win for Bressans, extending their winning streak to 6 games.
- Attendance: 5,342 spectators, creating a charged atmosphere during the closing minutes.
Scoreline Breakdown
| Quarter | Bressans | Élan Chalon | Lead Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 20 | 22 | Chalon (+2) |
| 2nd | 18 | 16 | Bressans (+4) |
| 3rd | 22 | 21 | Bressans (+1) |
| 4th | 21 | 20 | Bressans (+2) |
The game remained within a five‑point margin for 38 of the 40 minutes, with the decisive swing occurring in the final 1:12 of regulation.
Key Players & Statistical Highlights
Bressans
- Marco “The Rocket” D’Alessio (SG) – 24 points, 5 assists, 2 steals.
- 8‑4 shooting from beyond the arc; clutch three‑pointer at 1:45 left.
- Luca Bianchi (PF) – 18 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks.
- Dominated the paint with a 65 % field‑goal conversion.
- Nicolas Lévy (C) – 12 points, 11 rebounds, 3 forced turnovers.
- Secured a crucial offensive board that led to a put‑back basket at 0:57.
Élan Chalon
- Jordan Smith (PG) – 22 points,6 assists,4 rebounds.
- Managed the tempo, but missed the game‑tying free throw in the final 8 seconds.
- Antoine Girard (SF) – 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals.
- Delivered a streak of consecutive three‑pointers in the third quarter.
- Mathieu Dubois (C) – 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks.
Team Metrics
- Field‑Goal Percentage: Bressans 48 % vs. Chalon 45 %
- Three‑Point Shooting: Bressans 38 % (9‑of‑24) vs. Chalon 34 % (8‑of‑24)
- Turnovers: Bressans 9, Chalon 12 (difference of +3 in favor of Bressans)
- Rebounds: Bressans 42, Chalon 38
Turning Points & Clutch Moments
- Mid‑fourth Quarter Surge (12:04 – 9:32)
- Bressans executed a 6‑0 run after forcing two fast turnovers, turning a 2‑point deficit into a 4‑point lead.
- Defensive Stop at 2:05
- LévyS block on Smith’s layup forced a jump ball, giving Bressans possession for a decisive foul‑shot attempt.
- final 90 Seconds – The Nail‑Biting Finish
- 1:45 left: D’Alessio’s three‑pointer ties the game at 79‑79.
- 0:57 left: Bianchi’s offensive rebound and put‑back pushes Bressans ahead 81‑79.
- 0:08 left: Smith missed a contested free throw, sealing the victory for Bressans.
Tactical Analysis
- defensive Schemes – Bressans employed a hybrid man‑to‑man zone, switching on screens to limit Chalon’s pick‑and‑roll efficiency. The strategy reduced Chalon’s interior scoring to just 10 points in the paint.
- Offensive Flow – Bressans relied on perimeter spacing, using D’Alessio’s shooting to stretch the defense and create driving lanes for Bianchi. The high‑pick‑and‑roll with Lévy generated the majority of second‑chance points.
- Bench Contribution – Bressans’ sixth‑man, Fabio Romano (SG), added 8 points in 12 minutes, providing a quick scoring boost when the starters rested.
Impact on Season & Standings
- LNB Pro A Position: Bressans climb to 3rd place (15‑4 record), narrowing the gap to league leaders by two games.
- Playoff Implications: The win secures a home‑court advantage for a potential quarter‑final matchup against a lower‑seeded opponent.
- Momentum Factor: Three consecutive victories improve team confidence, especially in close‑game situations, a critical element for postseason success.
Fan & Media Reaction
- Social Media Buzz – Hashtag #BressansEdge trended locally on Twitter, accumulating over 12 k mentions within two hours of the final buzzer.
- Post‑Game Press Conference – Coach Carlo Ferretti highlighted the “relentless defensive pressure” and praised the players’ composure during the final minute.
- Live Audience Feedback – Fans reported a “heart‑pounding atmosphere” with chants intensifying after each turnover in the fourth quarter.
Practical Takeaways for Coaches
- emphasize Transition Defense – Bressans’ ability to force turnovers in the final minutes demonstrates the value of disciplined transition defense in tight games.
- Utilize High‑Pick‑and‑Roll Variations – Leveraging a big man’s rebounding ability on pick‑and‑rolls can generate crucial second‑chance points, as seen with Lévy’s offensive board.
- Maintain Bench Energy – A productive sixth‑man can sustain scoring momentum when starters are resting,preventing defensive lapses.
Statistical Snapshot (Key Numbers)
- Clutch Shooting (Last 5 minutes): Bressans 5‑of‑7 (71 %); Chalon 4‑of‑9 (44 %).
- Free‑Throw Accuracy in Final Minute: Bressans 2‑of‑2; Chalon 0‑of‑1.
- Turnover Differential: +3 in favor of Bressans, directly correlating with a 4‑point swing in the closing stretch.
