Rouen secured a narrow 81-79 victory over Bulazak in the National Basketball League on Friday, September 26. The result keeps the visitors ahead in their push for a better position in the table. Bulazak sit in 12th place after 30 games, with 12 wins and 18 defeats to their name. By then, the gap between sides looked narrower than the standings suggest.
There were no dramatic shifts in momentum to report — the game simply came down to execution in the closing stages. Rouen's away end never stopped, their supporters adding pressure during the final minutes. Bulazak had their chances but couldn't convert them consistently enough. And here's the thing, it wasn't a match decided by a single moment but by accumulated small errors.
On the statistical front, Rouen edged the rebounding battle 32-29 and were slightly more efficient from the free-throw line, hitting 22 of 28 attempts compared to Bulazak's 15 of 20. The hosts pulled ahead with 10 successful three-pointers against 9 from the visitors, but couldn't make up the difference elsewhere. Bulazak committed 26 personal fouls to Rouen's 22, a tally that cost them dearly in the final period.
The prediction of an away win came through, though not without tension. Rouen's confidence in the closing moments was evident, their composure under pressure proving the difference. Bulazak's aggressive style gave them offensive rebounds but also left them exposed defensively. To be fair, both sides had opportunities that went begging.
Recent form adds context to the result. Bulazak's last five matches show inconsistency — victories against Monaco and Chalon/Son, but losses to Limoges, Cholet and Dijon. Rouen's record includes a heavy defeat to Paris Basket and a closer win over Lyon-Villeurbanne. Neither side was in particularly strong rhythm heading into this fixture.
The result leaves Bulazak still in 12th place with 12 wins from 30 games. Rouen's victory keeps them in contention for a higher finish, though the table doesn't yet tell the full story. The goal difference remains tight between the two sides, and this encounter was another example of how close matches can be decided by a handful of possessions.
