Schaffartzik and Warren spur Nanterre to French Cup triumph
PARIS (FIBA Europe Cup/French Cup) - Just a couple of days before the FIBA Europe Cup title-decider against Elan Chalon, Nanterre rolled past Le Mans Sarthe Basket 96-79 in the French Cup Final.
PARIS (FIBA Europe Cup/French Cup) – Nanterre 92 have reached the final straight of the season at full speed. Just a couple of days before the FIBA Europe Cup title-decider against Elan Chalon, Pascal Donnadieu's side rolled past Le Mans Sarthe Basket 96-79 in the French Cup gold-medal game for the second such trophy in the club's history.
The backcourt pairing of Chris Warren and Heiko Schaffartzik combined for 50 points, as Nanterre sunk their opponents with impeccable 19-of-36 shooting from beyond the arc at the Bercy Arena in Paris on Saturday evening.
Et @Nanterre92 remporte sa deuxième #CDFBasket ce soir face au @MSB_Officiel en s'imposant 96-79 à l'@AccorH_Arena 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/gQBW2JUVlU
— FFBB (@ffbasketball) April 22, 2017
In command of the game right from tip-off, Nanterre got their lead up to double digits after the halftime break and never looked back, continuing to fire with one long-range shot after another.
"It was great to play a game like this here," said 33-year-old German guard Schaffartzik, who received MVP honors after going for 24 points on the back of 8-of-11 three-point field goals. "The atmosphere was very special. I love these type of matches. This year's team can play with this unity and I'm proud to be a part of it."
Avec 8/11 à 3 pts (73%), Heiko Schaffartzik est élu MVP @Pierre_Lannier de cette finale #CDFBasket 2017 🏅🔥 pic.twitter.com/uaDwGE2TuS
— FFBB (@ffbasketball) April 22, 2017
While it was Schaffartzik who picked up the individual honors, his backcourt partner Chris Warren had an equally big say in the game, going for a game-high 26 points in addition to 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
Hugo Invernizzi scored 13 pints and grabbed 5 rebounds, while Mykal Riley chipped in with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
Nanterre had previously won the French Cup only once in 2013.
"I saw the guys making an effort together, defending. This team is made of brilliant, skilled players and those, who also do the dirty work," said the team's play-caller Donnadieu after the game.
Gros match de la squad...énorme énergie...une concentration sans faille...🏀🎉🏆🍾#Teamwin @Nanterre92 @Vinsanity81 pic.twitter.com/c8pxBmkgrO
— LE GOFF Franck (@Frenchcoach92) April 22, 2017
After winning the French Cup for the second time in the club's history, Nanterre are now presented with a chance to complete a historic double if they can get past Elan Chalon in the return leg of the FIBA Europe Cup Final on Tuesday.
The first leg in Chalon-sur-Saone a week ago ended with neither team getting an edge, setting up the second all-French encounter at the Palais des Sports Maurice Thorez to be a high-stakes winner-take-all affair.
FIBA