Gravelines-Dunkerque — Le Mans: 97:103, LNB

Le Mans secured a 103-97 victory over Gravelines-Dunkerque in the National Basketball League on Friday evening. The visitors moved clear of their hosts in the table, extending a pattern that has seen them dominate this fixture in recent seasons. We had backed the away side at 57 per cent confidence, and the result confirmed that assessment.

Le Mans controlled the tempo through disciplined execution rather than flash. Their 14 assists came from structured movement, while Gravelines relied on volume from distance. The home side attempted 32 three-pointers compared to the visitors' 27, but conversion rates told a different story. Eleven successful shots from beyond the arc for the hosts against nine for Le Mans was not enough to bridge the gap.

What stood out was the rebounding battle. Le Mans pulled down 41 boards to Gravelines-Dunkerque's 32, with the visitors winning the offensive glass 11-9. That extra possession created opportunities when the game tightened. And here's the thing about basketball — second chances matter more than first attempts, especially when the margin is six points.

The statistics reveal a match decided by efficiency. Le Mans converted 18 of 26 free throws while Gravelines-Dunkerque made 12 from 18. Turnovers told another tale: the visitors committed 19 compared to the home side's 14, but they compensated through superior rebounding and fewer missed shots from the field.

The result leaves Le Mans in sixth place with 19 wins from 30 games. Gravelines-Dunkerque remain 14th after eight victories and 22 defeats. The visitors have not lost in this fixture since April, when they won 96-83 in a previous meeting. By then, the pattern was already clear.