Minucci's double-double powers Blois past Orléans
Diego Minucci orchestrated a hard-fought 88-83 victory for Espoirs Blois over Espoirs Orléans, delivering a masterclass with 19 points and 10 assists for a crucial double-double.
In a fiercely contested matchup at the Centre VSF Sports, Blois managed to seize key moments to secure the win against a resilient Orléans squad.
Though Blois shot 48% from the field (33/69), they struggled from deep, converting just 3 of 21 three-point attempts. However, they compensated with timely plays, while Orléans, despite better three-point shooting (6/23) and a solid 71% from the free-throw line (25/35), faltered due to 20 turnovers. Demao Diehi bolstered Blois's effort with 17 points and 8 rebounds, and Nohlann Lama chipped in 12 points off the bench. Maxence Millet was a standout for Orléans with 29 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome his team's inconsistency. The benches were evenly matched, contributing 17 points apiece.
This win marks a significant early-season result for Espoirs Blois.