With their latest win against SIG Strasbourg in the Jeep Elite, the AS Monaco Roca Team remains in the race to qualify for the Leaders Cup.
The Roca Boys gave their Christmas faithful a bit of relief with a big win over SIG Strasbourg this Christmas Eve. By taking down Strasbourg (83-79) this Sunday on the 14th day of the French Jeep Elite, the Roca Team has fulfilled the first half of its objective: to win both of its final two matches of the year going into the winter break.
The Alsatians, nevertheless, started the match in perfect rhythm, going ahead by as many as 10 points. But the Monegasques proved themselves capable by withstanding the waves of intensity Strasbourg, climbing back up on the scoreboard with a high-flying performance in the second quarter. Recent recruit Eric Buckner led the Roca Team’s revolt, inflicting a flurry of scores on a 15-2 run just before the break. A last basket at the buzzer from Lazeric Jones allowed Monaco to take the lead at halftime (43-40).
Lazeric Jones, man of the match
The Monegasques kept pace with their feisty visitors after the break despite a powerful burst from SIG Strasbourg led by Mardy Collins (19 points, 2 rebounds) and Youssoupha Fall (20 points, 12 rebounds). But Paul Lacombe and Jarrod Jones, top scorer and MVP of the match yesterday (21 points, 4 rebounds), then hit a key 3 pointer to put the AS Monaco ahead going into the fourth quarter.
Symbolic of his excellent game, midway into the fourth quarter Lazeric Jones scored the basket that would put Monaco ahead on the scoreline indefinitely. The Gaston-Médecin arena buzzed with delite. 13th Jeep Elite, Monaco balanced its record (7 wins-7 losses) and remains in the race for the top 8, which would qualify them for the Leaders Cup.
Monaco’s next match will be held on December 26th. ASM will go to Bourg-en-Bresse with the hopes ofcoming away with another key victory and to close out the year with their best foot forward.
*Originally published on the French edition of the Monaco Tribune.