Chalon downs Strasbourg for French title

Chalon Soane is celebrating tonight an historic victory as the club clinched the French ProA with a 74-65 home win over Strasbourg. The victory in Game 5 was the title decider, but Chalon managed to control the contest and ease to victory.

In success, the club now holds the top position in French hoops for just the second time, following the 2012 titles season. Interestingly, defeat stopped Strasbourg from claiming its second title after a 2005 winning campaign.

It was hard to split the teams in the first quarter, but through jostling for the lead, Chalon edged one a point ahead with a 19-18 frame. In the second period, the teams continued to trade buckets and the lead, but once again the hosts took a one point advantage. A 15-14 run allowed Chalon a 34-32 lead through the long break.

Emerging for the second half, it was the away team that maintained the momentum from the locker room. Strasbourg used a 12-15 third act to snatch a 47-46 lead through thirty minutes. It was still anyone’s game, however, and Chalon used the roaring home fans to rally in the fourth quarter and mustered a massive 28 points. It was a charge that put 10 points on Strasbourg’s 18 points and pushed Chalon to the title.

Jeremy Nzeulie and Cameron Clark topped the champions with 14 points apiece, while Lance Harris notched 11 points.

Paul Lacombe grabbed a game-high 15 points in the losing effort, followed by Jeremy Leloup with 12 points.