Paris Use Overtime To Punch Ticket

Sean May had a game-high 30-point, 11-rebound double-double for Paris Levallois, who booked a spot in the Last 16

Paris Levallois topped Mons-Hainaut in overtime to secure their place in the Last 16 of the EuroChallenge.

The Parisians had trailed for the vast majority of the game, but after staging a late rally to force an extra period, they made it count as Jawad Williams sank the winning shot with 37 seconds left.

Mons-Hainaut, who needed a win to stay in the hunt, raced out to a 23-8 lead, given to them by Jonathan Wallace's jump-shot, and led by double figures pretty much all the way until late in the third quarter.

It was not until early in the fourth quarter that Paris made any real headway, but back-to-back baskets from John Cox and Sean May made it 70-69 to the hosts with 5:34 remaining.

Paris took their first lead, 74-73, on an Andrew Albicy three with 4:22 left and it was Mons-Hainaut who needed the final basket of regulation - a lay-up from Quincy Taylor - to secure overtime, with Albicy missing a late chance to win it for Paris. 

The two teams could barely be separated in the extra period either. 

Paris led 88-85 after a pair of free throws from May with 87 seconds left, but Justin Cage hit a pair for the hosts and then followed it with a jump-shot to put them up 89-88, 55 ticks from time.

Williams then hit his lay-up, and Cage missed with a late three for Mons-Hainaut. 

May poured in 31 points and collected 11 rebounds for Paris, while Albicy had 19 and Williams 14.

Taylor had 25 points for the hosts, with Joshua Bostic and Brian Qvale adding 16 each, whilst Qvale also had 13 rebounds. Wallace collected 14, and Monwell Randle 10.

Quotes Mons-Hainaut vs. Paris Levallois

"First, I must say that Mons have a very good team, and we improve many difficulties to win. In fact,it was a tough game like the first leg when we were beaten at home by this team! We started slowly, and immediately, we were punished, and obliged to run after a gap of fifteen points in the first quarter. Fortunately, we locked up again our defense, and tactically it became easier for us to prevent our hosts to continue their domination."

Paris Levallois head coach Christophe Denis
"We stayed clear despite the fact we began badly, and at the half-time, I told my guys they were able to win if they remained calm. Just before this game, we already knew the same situation in Aalst and also in Pitesti, where we led by fifteen and even twenty points. I have a very good team, with coolness in the difficulties, and despite the fact we've been beaten in the championship against Chalon, my players were full of expedients to recover their strength at the good moments. During the extra time, the decision fell on a possession of ball...,but I want to congratulate my colleague for his job and I think it must be cruel for him to be eliminated."

Mons Hainaut player Joshua Bostic
"We started very well, but after, and I don't know why,we played slowly and gave our hosts the opportunity of coming back in the game, instead of enlarging the gap."

Mons Hainaut head coach Yves Defraigne
"First, I want to congratulate Paris for its qualification, but in the two legs, the decision fell in extra-times; that's to say the two teams were very close, and my colleague found good tactical choices when it was the moment....In fact,we didn't work enough on the switching of our hosts and we also didn't attack the circle as we should have done.
It's not logic that a team which plays at home obtains less free throws than a team which is playing away. We were not patient enough at crucial moments and we were also passed beyond in the duels at one against one."

Quotes Mons-Hainaut vs. Paris Levallois

"First, I must say that Mons have a very good team, and we improve many difficulties to win. In fact,it was a tough game like the first leg when we were beaten at home by this team! We started slowly, and immediately, we were punished, and obliged to run after a gap of fifteen points in the first quarter. Fortunately, we locked up again our defense, and tactically it became easier for us to prevent our hosts to continue their domination."

Paris Levallois head coach Christophe Denis
"We stayed clear despite the fact we began badly, and at the half-time, I told my guys they were able to win if they remained calm. Just before this game, we already knew the same situation in Aalst and also in Pitesti, where we led by fifteen and even twenty points. I have a very good team, with coolness in the difficulties, and despite the fact we've been beaten in the championship against Chalon, my players were full of expedients to recover their strength at the good moments. During the extra time, the decision fell on a possession of ball...,but I want to congratulate my colleague for his job and I think it must be cruel for him to be eliminated."

Mons Hainaut player Joshua Bostic
"We started very well, but after, and I don't know why,we played slowly and gave our hosts the opportunity of coming back in the game, instead of enlarging the gap."

Mons Hainaut head coach Yves Defraigne
"First, I want to congratulate Paris for its qualification, but in the two legs, the decision fell in extra-times; that's to say the two teams were very close, and my colleague found good tactical choices when it was the moment....In fact,we didn't work enough on the switching of our hosts and we also didn't attack the circle as we should have done.
It's not logic that a team which plays at home obtains less free throws than a team which is playing away. We were not patient enough at crucial moments and we were also passed beyond in the duels at one against one."