Chalon Into Final Four After Late Heroics

Roanne were leading by five with 1:48 left on the clock when Chalon's Malcolm Delaney decided to take matters into his own hands

Elan Chalon pulled off a stunning comeback at Chorale Roanne and won 78-76 to reach the EuroChallenge Final Four.

After claiming a 75-73 victory at the death in Game 1, Gregor Beugnot's side hit the road and faced their French rivals and prevailed, despite trailing 76-68 with just 1:54 to play.

Bryant Smith started the comeback with a three-point play after being fouled on a fast-break while making a jump shot.

Malcolm Delaney then took over, scoring the game's final seven points.

Delaney made two free-throws to close the gap to three, and following a John Holland miss for Roanne, Delaney drilled a three-pointer to knot the contest at 76-76.

Roanne coach Luka Pavicevic, whose team missed 12 of its 19 free-throws for a horrid 36.8 percent, called a timeout to draw up his team's last play but Thomas Larrouquis missed a jumper and then fouled Delaney with seven seconds to go.

The 23-year-old shooting guard went to the line and calmly sank two free-throws for a two-point lead.

Roanne called a timeout and got two attempts to force overtime but Holland missed inside and after Richard Jackson grabbed the offensive rebound, he missed on the put-back attempt.

Chalon, last season's Coupe de France winners and this year's Semaine des As champions, are now two wins away from a EuroChallenge title.

Delaney finished with a game-high 23 points, making five of six shots from behind the arc and all six of his free-throws.

Blake Schilb, one of the other leading players at the club, had 16 points.

For Roanne, Dylan Page led a balanced attack with 16 points.

Quotes Roanne Basket vs. Elan Chalon

Elan Chalon Head Coach Greg Beugnot
"It is not in the situation of Roanne in the sense that it was the success since the beginning of the year. There is a belief. With two minutes remaining, they were told it was only four three-point baskets that's all, if we score two quick ones they will panic. And we made them, that's exceptional."

Chorale Roanne Head Coach Luka Pavicevic
"This defeat has something to strengthen our frustration because we had built a victory but we were not able to conclude. We had also managed a big game in Chalon on Tuesday, but it was again the same scenario."

Elan Chalon player Alade Aminou
"We never doubted, everyone thought the same at minus 12 points in the last quarter. This is our strength this season, we are never beaten."

Chorale Roanne player Thomas Larrouquis
"It is the third or fourth time we lose like that this year. We let them take easy shots, whereas on our side we cannot finish the match, me I had a couple of open shots. If I had made one maybe the game could be over."