Mulhouse pulled off a dramatic 73-71 victory over Saint Vallier in France Nationale 1 action on October 3, 2026. A last-second jumper proved the difference in a game that featured 12 lead changes and was decided in the final seconds.

Match Overview

The contest was a back-and-forth battle from start to finish. Mulhouse held a 19-17 lead after the first quarter, but Saint Vallier surged ahead 38-34 at halftime behind hot three-point shooting. The third quarter saw Mulhouse reclaim the lead, 56-54, thanks to a 10-2 run. In the fourth, neither team led by more than four points. With the score tied at 71-71, Mulhouse held for the final shot. Their shooting guard dribbled down the clock and hit a fadeaway jumper from the elbow with 1.2 seconds remaining. Saint Vallier's desperation heave fell short.

Key Moments

• Fourth quarter, 2:00 left: Saint Vallier hit a corner three to tie the game at 69-69.
• 0:45 remaining: Mulhouse's center blocked a potential go-ahead layup, keeping the game tied.
• 0:01.2 left: Mulhouse's shooting guard nailed the game-winning jumper, sending the home bench into celebration.

Tactical Breakdown

Mulhouse focused on attacking the paint, scoring 38 points inside, while Saint Vallier relied on perimeter shooting, making 11 three-pointers. Mulhouse's defense adjusted in the second half, switching to a 1-3-1 zone that slowed Saint Vallier's ball movement. The rebounding edge went to Mulhouse (38-32), which proved crucial in limiting second-chance points. Saint Vallier's late-game execution faltered with two turnovers in the final minute.

Standout Performers

Mulhouse's shooting guard finished with 20 points, including the game-winner, and added 5 rebounds. Their point guard contributed 14 points and 8 assists. Saint Vallier's center was dominant with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while their shooting guard chipped in 16 points. Despite the loss, Saint Vallier showed resilience on the road.

Season Impact

The win gives Mulhouse a crucial early-season confidence boost in Nationale 1 and keeps them in the upper half of the standings. Saint Vallier will look to bounce back quickly, knowing that close losses can haunt a team in a competitive league. This 73-71 thriller is an early candidate for game of the season.