In a nail-biting finish that had the entire arena on the edge of their seats, Marie Pardon sank a dramatic three-pointer with just 17 seconds left on the clock, securing the French championship for Basket Landes. Alix Duchet of Bourges was unable to answer on the final possession.
The game was marked by tight defense and offensive struggles from both sides, with Basket Landes shooting 33% and Bourges 27% from the field. The three-point accuracy was particularly poor, with only one successful shot out of sixteen attempts for both teams combined. Despite the scoring difficulties, the players displayed immense determination and enthusiasm.
Leïla Lacan, the regular season MVP, was also the MVP of the final, contributing an impressive 19 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals, accounting for 22 of her team’s 61 total evaluation points. Lacan is set to join the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA and is expected to be a key player for the French national team in the upcoming World Cup.
The match began with Bourges taking an early 0-6 lead, but Basket Landes quickly responded with an 8-0 run. The first quarter ended in a tie at 15-15, a reflection of the intense defensive battles and scoring struggles that would define the game. The second quarter saw even lower scoring, with both teams adding only 12 points, leading to a 27-27 halftime score. Basket Landes shot 31% and Bourges 28%, with many players enduring physical play. Bourges managed to stay in contention thanks to an 11-of-12 performance from the free-throw line.
The second half continued with a similar gritty, defensive tone. Marie-Paule Dally finally hit the game’s first three-pointer for Basket Landes in the 34th minute. The intensity grew, with Laétitia Guapo showcasing her physicality. Despite the numerous turnovers and offensive inefficiencies, the defensive sequences were often the most impressive. Bourges managed a slight lead at 36-40 by the 30-minute mark.
Twenty-year-old Inès Pitarch-Granel was prominent in the action. The game remained a back-and-forth affair with many missed opportunities. Leïla Lacan tied the score at 44 with a 2+1 play with less than four minutes remaining. However, Alix Duchet responded with a drive to give Bourges a 44-48 lead with just over two minutes left.
With 1 minute and 7 seconds on the clock, Basket Landes, through Leïla Lacan and Marjunatu Musa, managed to level the score at 48-48. Lacan demonstrated her clutch performance in the final moments, with an interception, a layup, and ultimately a crucial assist to Marie Pardon for the championship-winning shot.
The box score is available here.
Final Series Results:
- Game 1: Bourges* defeated Basket Landes 67-49
- Game 2: Basket Landes* defeated Bourges 59-54
- Game 3: Basket Landes* defeated Bourges 53-50
Most Titled Clubs:
- TANGO BOURGES BASKET (formerly CJM): 15 titles (6 consecutive)
- CLERMONT U.C.: 13 titles (12 consecutive)
- PARIS U.C.: 7 titles (3 consecutive)
- US VALENCIENNES OLYMPIC: 7 titles (5 consecutive)
- STADE FRANCAIS (then STADE FRANCAIS VERSAILLES): 6 titles (5 consecutive)
- C.S CHATEAU THIERRY, B.A.C MIRANDE, and CHALLES BASKET: 3 titles (all consecutive)
- A.S MONTFERRAND: 3 titles (2 consecutive)
- BASKET LANDES: 3 titles (2 consecutive)
