Cholet, leader of the Elite basketball championshipcontinued its upward march on Saturday, defeating CSP Limoges 75-69 on its home turf on Matchday 8, while underdogs Nancy and Chalon-sur-Saône also made their mark. The Choletais, who have made an excellent start to the season with six wins and one defeat, have consolidated their position at the top of the table, while runner-up Asvel will host Nanterre on Sunday evening (7:00 pm). Fabrice Lefrançois’ men took a very slight lead (34-36) at the break against Nicolas Lang’s Limougeauds, who last week became the record holder for three-point shots made in the first division (record of 755 made). The CSP, who weren’t very effective from three-point range on Saturday (7/26; 3/8 for Lang), fell behind in the third quarter. A slight surge at the end of the game gave hope to the Beaublanc fans, but too late.

Limoges had beaten 15th-ranked Chalon-sur-Saône last week, but they bounced back on Saturday to dominate Le Mans (88-84) at home and secure a second win following their victory over Lyon-Villeurbanne on October 20. The French Basketball Federation (FFBB) ruled that the game had to be replayed on Wednesday after Asvel lodged a complaint, to which Élan Chalon responded by indicating that it would appeal the decision. Zac Cuthbertson and his 24 points (5 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 assists) were voted MVP of the game. Nancy also put in a fine performance against Gravelines-Dunkerque (80-63), who are going through a complicated period with three defeats in a row following home losses to Monaco and Bourg-en-Bresse. The Nancéiens kept a tight rein on their opponents, who had never scored so little in the league this season (with only 4/29 three-pointers), while Caleb Walker finished with 20 points (4 rbds, 6 assists).

The JL Bourg, who until now had a similar record to the BCM, respected logic by winning at La Rochelle (86-78), the red lantern. Frédéric Fauthoux’s men, who were coming off a defeat at home to Strasbourg, are now provisionally in 5th place (5 wins, 3 losses) ahead of Monaco on Sunday. La Roca Team, on the back of four straight league wins, will host Dijon from 4.30pm, while Paris Basket, in fine form in the Euroleague, will travel to Saint-Quentin.