“If we stay like this, we're going to be hard to beat”: BLMA finally took its revenge on Villeneuve d'Ascq thanks to a top-flight defensive performance

Meilleure marqueuse avec 18 points, Jasmine Bailey a été élue femme du match. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

Thanks to another impeccable defensive performance, BLMA finally beat Villeneuve d'Ascq (65-44), Saturday evening in Lattes, during the 11th day of Wonderligue.

When something touches what is probably the most important thing in professional sportswomen – the ego – a reaction that is equal to the affront suffered is expected.

Beaten heavily by these same Northerners in the semi-finals by the future reigning champions, last season, Valéry Demory's players got their own back on Rachid Meziane's players.

Wonderligue: the ranking and all the results of the 11th day

Saturday evening, the first French coach from the tricolor formation to join an American franchise in the WNBA ended his adventure with Villeneuve d'Ascq with a heavy defeat in Hérault, where he also coached for a season and a half.

The fault of the Gazelles in line with their five consecutive victories in all competitions and who defended tooth and nail, respecting their status as the best defense of the championship.

Only two points conceded in the first quarter

“Villeneuve is perhaps less strong than in the last two years, Demory conceded afterwards. Maybe we are stronger too. Our goal is to finish as high as possible to try to make it to the championship final, we haven't changed our ambition. Now, when I see the energy we put into defense, if we stay like that, we're going to be hard to beat.”

The Villeneuve d'Ascq players will certainly not contradict the Hérault boss's words. His team was able to rely on a first quarter that was simply exceptional, with only two points conceded (18-2).

Enough to see what was coming and never relegate the Northerners to less than ten points, before crushing them in the last act (16-7). A large success in the end allowing Romane “Clutch” Bernies’ teammates to be second in the championship, just one point behind the leader, Bourges. And spend the holidays in the warmth.

BLMA – Villeneuve d’Ascq: 65-44

Palais des sports de Lattes.
Quarter-temps: 18-2, 17-18, 14-17, 16-7.
Referees: Mrs. Dahra and Mr. Antiphon and Klai.
Spectators: 900.
BLMA: 25/61 including 4/17 at 3 pts, 11 LF/14, 21 assists, 47 rebounds, 15 lost balls, 16 fouls.
Limouzin (10 points), Brun, Bailey (18), Naigre (4), Rabot (7), Keita, Fankam Mendjiadeu (15), Angloma (4), (cap.) Bernies (7), Miliapie.
Coach: Valéry Demory.
ESBVA: 17/56 including 5/26 at 3 pts, 5 LF/10, 11 assists, 31 rebounds, 13 lost balls, 16 fouls.
Leite (16), Fopossi (10), (cap.) Heriaud (6), Peters (8), Lutbert, Hirsch (2), Gueye (2), Slonjsak, Paget.
Coach: Rachid Meziane.

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