JSF Nanterre wins 2014 Coupe de France

JSF Nanterre claimed the 2014 Coupe de France (French Cup) title after defeating SLUC Nancy Basket Pro, 55-50. This is the team’s first French Cup crown after being finalists in the event in 2007 and 2013. It’s a consolation for the club as they are out of the French Pro A playoffs and will not be able to defend their 2013 title. There are many strong teams in the Pro A league and it is a very competitive league to be in, as former Pro B champs found out the hard way this season with their middle-of-the-pack regular season record of 16-14.

SLUC Nancy did make it an easy prize for Nanterre to claim. Nancy recovered from a slow first-quarter start, rallying in the second and headed to the locker room with 29-26 lead. Nanterre came back at them in the third quarter and eked out a slight one-point lead, 40-39, heading into the final frame. Nancy took advantage of a stall in Nanterre’s offense and retook the lead 45-40. With their backs against the wall and time ticking away, Nanterre found their answers from beyond the arc as their players knocked down shot after shot to steal the game in final period.

Deshaun Thomas led Nanterre with a 12-12 (pts-rebs) double-double, while Trenton Meacham and David Lighty added 12 and 10 points respectively.

Nancy’s Randal Falker had a game-high 14 points, which complemented by doing some quality work on the glass with 10 boards. Marcus Banks contributed 12 points for the night.