Gravelines Rally To Top Nancy

David Noel had 9 points and 5 rebounds, contributing to a balanced team effort of Gravelines

BCM Gravelines Dunkerque came storming back in the fourth quarter to beat SLUC Nancy 80-68 and move top of Group G in the EuroChallenge.

Nancy, struggling in the French league, dominated the first half to lead 44-32 at the break, and they kept their noses in front until the 2:39 mark in the third period.

But by then the momentum had taken a decisive turn and Gravelines raced to the finish, ultimately outscoring their hosts 48-24 in the second half.

Nancy belied their dismal domestic form to get a huge start on their French rivals, and Torrell Martin's lay-up to start the second quarter had them 25-10 up.

The lead was 16 when Nicholas Pope nailed a three-pointer to make it 30-14.

Gravelines reduced the deficit slightly before the break but it was not until the third period that they found their rhythm, scoring the first seven points to cut it to 44-39 on David Noel's three-pointer.

They took their first lead since the third minute when they went up 50-48 on a three-point play from Sarra Camara at the end of an 11-0 spurt.

Abdel Sylla tied it for Nancy but the Gravelines bandwagon kept on rolling and they began the fourth quarter with a 15-2 run, leading 67-54 when Camara split his free throws with 5:15 left.

Nancy kept scrapping but it was as much as they could do to keep the gap in single figures, and even that eluded them once Abdoulaye Loum ended the game with a big three-pointer.

Dwight Buycks led Gravelines with 13 points and Camara had 11 with 13 rebounds. But they used a balanced offence, with Aldo Curti, Abdoulaye Mbaye and Noel each collecting nine and Ludovic Vaty eight points.

Marcellus Sommerville led Nancy with 18 points and Martin had 17.

Quotes SLUC Nancy vs. BCM Gravelines

Gravelines head coach Christian Monschau
"We had a first half complicated by the excellent play by Nancy, which made us lose many balls , and disturbed our team.
During the second half the marking started to pay, until the last quarter we didn't let anything go. Tonight we've took a great step to qualification."

Gravelines player Aldo Curti
"We seem to have a problem to begin the matches. We have two faces. It's often difficult to come back in the match, but as soon as our defense takes the rhythm, we get a better attack."

Nancy Player Torrelll Martin
"We had a very good first half, and we had to build on upon it. The difference in the second half is that they were a more agressive team, this agressivness killed us offensively. They became too comfortable with their shots. It's too frustrating. We are fighting hard but we must fight smart."

Nancy head coach Jean Luc Monschau
"It's more complicated without Jamal Shuler and John Linehan, the first half was encouraging, we provoked many turnovers. The second was totally the opposite and then Gravelines ate us."

Quotes SLUC Nancy vs. BCM Gravelines

Gravelines head coach Christian Monschau
"We had a first half complicated by the excellent play by Nancy, which made us lose many balls , and disturbed our team.
During the second half the marking started to pay, until the last quarter we didn't let anything go. Tonight we've took a great step to qualification."

Gravelines player Aldo Curti
"We seem to have a problem to begin the matches. We have two faces. It's often difficult to come back in the match, but as soon as our defense takes the rhythm, we get a better attack."

Nancy Player Torrelll Martin
"We had a very good first half, and we had to build on upon it. The difference in the second half is that they were a more agressive team, this agressivness killed us offensively. They became too comfortable with their shots. It's too frustrating. We are fighting hard but we must fight smart."

Nancy head coach Jean Luc Monschau
"It's more complicated without Jamal Shuler and John Linehan, the first half was encouraging, we provoked many turnovers. The second was totally the opposite and then Gravelines ate us."