Game Report: Elan Coton staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Mighty Barrolle 74-69 in the Road to BAL 2025 Tournament. After trailing by 13 points, Coton surged ahead in the third quarter, ultimately securing their first tournament win and showcasing resilience.
Last Updated on
October 12, 2024
In a gripping encounter on Game Day 2 of the Road to BAL 2025 Tournament in Libya, Elan Coton fought back from a dismal start to clinch a hard-fought 74-69 victory against the Mighty Barrolle. Despite a lacklustre performance in the first half, the Mali champions clawed themselves back into the game in the third quarter, securing their first win of the tournament after a disappointing loss to the Spintex Knights.
Elan Coton stumbled out of the blocks, trailing 21-18 at the end of the first quarter. This was followed by a woeful second period in which they managed to score just 10 points while conceding 20. Heading into the third quarter with their backs against the wall at 41-28, it was clear that the stakes were high for Elan Coton. Their hopes of advancing in the Basketball Africa League for 2025 hung by a thread, necessitating an urgent turnaround.
The third quarter saw a complete transformation in Elan Coton's approach. They unleashed a scoring barrage, racking up 29 points while stifling the Mighty Barrolle to a mere 11. By the end of the quarter, Elan Coton had flipped the script, leading 57-52 and turning the tide in their favour.
The final period saw both teams score 17 points each, but Elan Coton maintained their slender lead. A pivotal moment came when Jean Patrick Nguepy Dongmo delivered a spectacular performance, putting Elan Coton ahead 65-63 with just 2:36 left on the clock. Yves-Louis Ngaransou then delivered a vital layup with 1:10 remaining, extending the lead to 70-64.
Bryson Malik Langdon, who played a crucial role in the victory, sealed the win for Elan Coton by knocking down two clutch free throws with just five seconds left, bringing the final score to 74-69.
Langdon was named Game MVP, narrowly missing a triple-double with 23 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals. He was supported by Dongmo, who recorded a double-double with 12 points and ten rebounds. Tawadioun Baboni Mama and Monra Salim Kora Sero also contributed 11 and 13 points, respectively.
The game was marked by five lead changes, with Elan Coton's largest lead being nine points, while the Mighty Barrolle's biggest advantage was a substantial 15 points. Critics may argue that Barrolle choked, having led most of the game, but Elan Coton's experience ultimately shone through as they capitalised on their opponents' errors.
Shooting percentages were unimpressive overall, with Elan Coton managing just 33.8% from the field and a poor 25.9% from three-point range. The Mighty Barrolle fared slightly better at 38.7% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. Both teams struggled at the free-throw line, with Mighty Barrolle underwhelming in this department.
In the rebounding battle, the Mighty Barrolle edged Elan Coton 53-42, while Elan Coton showcased superior ball movement with 21 team assists compared to Barrolle's 19. Additionally, Elan Coton capitalised on defensive pressure, forcing 27 turnovers and scoring 19 points off those mistakes. Despite a lack of production from their bench, which contributed only nine points, Elan Coton secured a crucial victory, setting the stage for a promising campaign in the Road to BAL 2025 Tournament.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
