Andrezieux Boutheon ALS held their nerve down the stretch to edge SOM Boulogne 76-73 in a tightly contested France Nationale 1 matchup, relying on late free throws and a crucial defensive stand to protect home court. The game featured multiple lead changes and was not decided until the final possession, when Boulogne’s attempt to force overtime fell short.

Match overview

Andrezieux Boutheon ALS set the tone early with aggressive interior play, but SOM Boulogne responded with perimeter shooting and good ball movement. Neither team led by more than seven points in the first half, and the score remained close through the third quarter as both defenses tightened.

The final period turned into a possession-by-possession battle. Andrezieux looked to slow the game down and attack through the paint, while Boulogne searched for open three-point looks. The home side’s composure at the free-throw line in the final minute proved decisive.

Key moments

The decisive sequence came with under two minutes remaining. Andrezieux scored on back-to-back trips to take a narrow lead, then forced a contested three-pointer at the other end. After a defensive rebound, the home side converted two free throws to extend the advantage. Boulogne had one last chance to tie, but a rushed attempt from beyond the arc rimmed out.

Earlier, a 8-0 run late in the third quarter had given Andrezieux momentum, but Boulogne answered immediately with a run of their own. The game’s final five minutes were played at playoff intensity, with every rebound and loose ball drawing a strong reaction from the crowd.

Tactical story

Andrezieux’s half-court execution was the foundation of the win. They used screen-and-roll actions to create mismatches inside, and their guards did a good job of finding cutters when Boulogne helped defensively. The home team also limited second-chance opportunities by controlling the defensive glass in the fourth quarter.

Boulogne stayed in the game thanks to their three-point shooting and ability to force turnovers. However, their shot selection became more difficult as the game wore on, and Andrezieux’s physical defense forced them into several low-percentage attempts in the closing minutes.

Standout performers

Nathan Roux led Andrezieux with 19 points and six assists, consistently finding ways to score in traffic. Eliott Garnier was Boulogne’s top scorer with 17 points, including several important baskets in the third quarter. Andrezieux’s frontcourt also deserved credit for their rebounding and interior defense, which helped negate Boulogne’s late surge.

Standings impact

This is the kind of narrow home victory that can matter significantly in the France Nationale 1 standings. Andrezieux add a valuable win to their regular-season record, while Boulogne leave with a competitive performance but no points to show for it. The result underlines how thin the margins are in NM1 games decided by single possessions.