Ebong And Costner Lead Dexia To Win

Ben Ebong and Brandon Costner had 20 points each as Dexia Mons-Hainaut levelled their record in Group D of the EuroChallenge with an 84-67 win over Elan Chalon.

Dexia let one big early lead evaporate as the visitors tied the game on Marcellus Sommerville's three-pointer midway through the third quarter.

But they responded with a 10-1 run, capped by two free throws from veteran Nate Reinking, to assume control again and this time there was no way back for Elan Chalon.

Ebong had 14 rebounds to go with his 20 points, and Jerel McNeal added 17 points for Dexia.

Philippe Braud led Elan Chalon with 13 points, while Jerome Tillman and Drew Neitzel had 12 each, with Blake Schlib adding 11.

The result, combined with Cedevita Zagreb's 100-82 win over Proteas EKA AEL, leaves Group D wide open with all four teams at 2-2.

Quotes Dexia Mons-Hainaut vs. Elan Chalon

Nicolas Lang Chalon player:
"Dexia's face was quite different with regard to the first leg,because the team was very agressive from the beginning to the end of the game. What is more, their players were lucky with their three point shots.
"Now, we have to win twice at home against Limassol and Zagreb to reach the second round, but the group isn't very easy, because actually, everybody has six points after four games,and we must be careful in the future..."

Gregor Beugnot Elan Chalon head coach:
"First,I want to congratulate Dexia for the game, because with a player like Costner, my defense broke into pieces when I thought it was in place to oppose the other players's plans. During the first half,we made a good job,and especially in the beginning of the third quarter when we equalised the score after being nine points behind. But Mc Neal and Ebong relieved each other to make a big difference in a few minutes, and it's right I didn't have many solutions in the last minutes, because the average was very important, and the game could have swung with the precision of players like Costner or Tolbert and Reinking. That's why I asked my guys to have a look on the score-board and the chronometer during the last seconds,because Dexia was able to reverse the score of the first leg in Chalon. It's sure we have to change of attitude if we want to go further in this competition..."

Ben Ebong Dexia Mons Hainaut player:
"We've been very close to inverse the situation of the first leg, and that's the reason why I'm a little desappointed despite the very good game we played.
Physically,we succeeded in making our hosts in doubt,and the difference between the first leg and tonight is that our team begins to raise it's level ,because with the injuries,we didn't arrive to play one time together. Now,we know that we have to win against Zagreb in one month,but also in Cyprus,because the team which will win twice in the two last games will be sure to reach the next round. And tha's what we want."

Arik Shivek Dexia Mons Hainaut head coach:
"The best situation stays in the hands of Chalon, because the team is playing twice at home in the two last games, but for us, everything is possible if we continue to play like we did tonight. Now the players are on holidays for Christmas and as we already play the day after new year,we'll be always on the move just before going to Limassol where a success could open us the doors of the qualification for the second round. We played well in the championship agains Charleroi and tonight. I'm proud of my players who did their best to reverse the nineteen points conceded in France."