La Rochelle 81-84 Saint-Chamond: Road Win in Pro B Thriller

Saint-Chamond secured a hard-fought 84-81 road victory over La Rochelle in the Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro B on October 10, 2026. The game was tight from start to finish, with neither team leading by more than seven points. In the end, Saint-Chamond’s late-game execution and clutch free-throw shooting made the difference. The win is a significant confidence boost for the visitors, who had to withstand a hostile home crowd and a determined La Rochelle side.

La Rochelle will feel they let this one slip away. They led for long stretches and had chances to tie the game in the final seconds, but a missed three-pointer and a turnover cost them dearly. Saint-Chamond, meanwhile, celebrated a valuable road win that improves their position in the Pro B standings.

Match Overview

The first quarter was fast-paced and high-scoring, with Saint-Chamond taking a 23-20 lead. La Rochelle responded in the second quarter, winning it 21-19 to cut the halftime deficit to 42-41. The third quarter was equally tight, with Saint-Chamond edging it 20-19 to take a 62-60 lead into the final period. In the fourth, La Rochelle briefly went ahead, but Saint-Chamond closed the game on an 8-3 run to seal the win.

• First quarter: Saint-Chamond 23-20
• Second quarter: La Rochelle 21-19
• Third quarter: Saint-Chamond 20-19
• Fourth quarter: Saint-Chamond 22-21
• Final: La Rochelle 81-84 Saint-Chamond

Key Moments

The game featured 11 lead changes and was decided in the final two minutes. With the score tied at 78-78, Saint-Chamond’s point guard hit a step-back three-pointer to give his team the lead. La Rochelle answered with a tough basket inside, but Saint-Chamond’s center grabbed a crucial offensive rebound and drew a foul, making both free throws. On the next possession, La Rochelle missed an open corner three, and Saint-Chamond iced the game at the line.

Another key moment came midway through the fourth quarter when La Rochelle’s leading scorer picked up his fourth foul and had to sit for a two-minute stretch. Saint-Chamond capitalized with a 6-0 run that gave them a cushion they would not surrender.

Tactical Story

Saint-Chamond’s half-court offense was patient and efficient, especially in crunch time. They used ball screens to force switches and then attacked the mismatch. Their guards did an excellent job of controlling the tempo, never allowing La Rochelle to go on a sustained run. Defensively, Saint-Chamond switched between man-to-man and a zone look that confused La Rochelle’s shooters in the final quarter.

La Rochelle’s biggest issue was turnovers. They gave the ball away 15 times, leading to 18 Saint-Chamond points. In a game decided by three points, that was the difference. La Rochelle also struggled from the free-throw line, shooting just 65 percent, while Saint-Chamond made 85 percent of their attempts.

Standout Players

Saint-Chamond’s point guard was the hero, finishing with 22 points and 5 assists, including the go-ahead three-pointer. Their center added 14 points and 10 rebounds, while a versatile forward contributed 13 points and 7 rebounds. For La Rochelle, the center was dominant with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and their shooting guard added 16 points. But La Rochelle’s bench was outscored 24-12, a statistic that proved costly.

Pro B Standings Impact

The win moves Saint-Chamond up the Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro B standings and gives them a valuable head-to-head advantage over a potential playoff rival. La Rochelle remain in the mix but will rue missed opportunities in a game they could have won. Both teams will look at this result as one that could shape their season come spring.

What’s Next

Saint-Chamond return home with momentum, while La Rochelle face a quick turnaround to correct their late-game execution. In a league as competitive as Pro B, road wins like this are precious, and Saint-Chamond will be determined to build on it.