ÉB Pau-Orthez Power Past Saint Quentin 102-89

ÉB Pau-Orthez produced a high-powered offensive display on October 18, 2026, defeating Saint Quentin 102-89 in Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro A. The hosts crossed the century mark behind efficient shooting, strong inside play and a balanced scoring effort that proved too much for Saint Quentin to contain.

Match overview

Pau-Orthez started quickly, taking a 26-22 lead after the first quarter. The hosts extended the advantage with a 29-24 second period, entering halftime ahead 55-46. Pau kept the pressure on in the third, outscoring Saint Quentin 24-21, and then closed out the game with 23 points in the final quarter. Saint Quentin scored 22 in the fourth but never seriously threatened a comeback.

• Final score: ÉB Pau-Orthez 102, Saint Quentin 89
• Halftime: Pau-Orthez 55, Saint Quentin 46
• Third quarter: Pau-Orthez 24, Saint Quentin 21
• Top scorer: Damien Lacombe (Pau-Orthez) with 27 points

Key moments

The decisive stretch came midway through the third quarter. Leading 64-56, Pau-Orthez rattled off a 10-2 run, capped by a transition dunk from Mamadou Cissé and a pull-up three from Damien Lacombe. The burst pushed the lead to 74-58 and forced Saint Quentin into a timeout. Saint Quentin responded with a brief 7-0 run, but Pau’s offense remained in rhythm and never let the visitors pull within single digits again.

Pau’s ability to score in the paint and from beyond the arc made them difficult to defend. The hosts shot 55% from the field and 13 of 28 from three-point range, while also earning 24 free-throw attempts. Saint Quentin shot a respectable 46% but were hurt by 14 turnovers and a 38-32 rebounding deficit.

Standout performers

Lacombe led all scorers with 27 points and eight assists, controlling the game with a mix of pull-up jumpers and precise passes. Cissé dominated inside with 20 points and 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards. Guard Thibault Mercier added 16 points and four steals, while reserve forward Enzo Lafargue chipped in 11 points off the bench.

Saint Quentin were paced by Lucas Perrin’s 22 points and six rebounds. Guard Mathis Colin added 17 points and five assists, and forward Ibrahim Sylla contributed 14 points and eight rebounds. Despite solid individual efforts, Saint Quentin could not match Pau’s offensive efficiency or defensive intensity over 40 minutes.

Tactical story

Pau-Orthez prioritized paint touches and ball movement, forcing Saint Quentin’s defense to collapse before kicking the ball to open shooters. The hosts recorded 26 assists on 37 made field goals, a testament to their unselfish play. Defensively, Pau mixed up their pick-and-roll coverage, sometimes switching and sometimes dropping their center, which disrupted Saint Quentin’s rhythm and generated turnovers.

Saint Quentin’s best offense came when they attacked early in the shot clock and got to the rim. However, Pau’s defensive rebounding limited second-chance points, and the visitors were forced to rely on contested jumpers for long stretches. Pau’s ability to answer every Saint Quentin run with a quick score was the defining feature of the game.

What it means

The victory gives ÉB Pau-Orthez a significant boost in the LNB Pro A standings and reinforces their reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive teams. A 102-point outing with 26 assists and a plus-6 rebounding margin is a strong blueprint for success. Saint Quentin will look to tighten their defense and reduce turnovers before their next fixture, but they showed enough offensive flashes to suggest they can bounce back quickly.