Limoges opens ProA title defence with win

The French LNB ProA finals are underway with Limoges CSP looking to defend its crown against Strasbourg in the championship series. The defending champs got off to a great start in Game 1 by taking out Strasbourg 68-70 on the road, with Game 2 also in Strasbourg on Sunday. Limoges is hunting its eleventh LNB ProA title, while Strasbourg is chasing its second, while both these clubs contested last year’s championship series.

Of course, the honours went to Limoges in 2014, with the club sweeping the series to claim a tenth title, and it seems the Limousine based club is on course again.

The visitors looked good from the opening tip off and out thought Strasbourg in the first quarter, emerging with a 14-18 lead through ten minutes. Limoges improved again in the second as the hosts struggled to get into the game, as the midway buzzer sounded the away team had opened a 27-38 lead. That double digit advantage was soon reduced to a single point as Strasbourg finally rallied in the third act; using a 19-9 run to make it 46-47 after thirty minutes on the hardwood. Limoges was reeling, but the guests responded like champions to fend off a hot Strasbourg with a 22-23 run in the fourth frame.

Ousmane Camara paced the champs with 14 points and 9 rebounds, while Nobel Boungou-Colo added 12 points (and 7 boards) and Adrien Moerman scored 10 points.

Matt Howard grabbed the only double-double of the game as he helped Strasbourg with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Howard was followed by Ali Traore with 12 points in the loss.