Roanne — Nanterre 92: 93:83, LNB

Rouen defeated Nanterre 92 93:83 in the National Basketball League on Thursday evening. The hosts took control early and never let the visitors close the gap. and here's the thing — the result was never really in doubt once Rouen found their rhythm from distance.

We had called for a home win with 66 per cent confidence before the game. That assessment held up because Rouen's three-point shooting was simply too sharp to ignore. They hit 11 of 26 attempts from behind the arc, while Nanterre managed only 7 of 18.

The turnover differential told the real story. Rouen committed just 9 turnovers throughout the contest, whereas Nanterre coughed up 20. to be fair — the visitors did win the rebound battle 34 to 22, but those extra possessions never translated into points.

Rouen's defensive activity stood out with 10 steals compared to Nanterre's 5. The hosts also committed fewer personal fouls, 25 to 27, which helped them avoid giving away easy free throws in tight moments.

Free throw accuracy mattered in the closing stages. Rouen converted 28 of 33 attempts at the line, while Nanterre made 26 of 35. That margin proved decisive when the game tightened down.

Nanterre remain third in the table with 21 wins from 30 games. by then — after this defeat — they trail the leaders by a margin that requires consistency they haven't shown lately.

Rouen's recent form has been patchy, but this performance suggests a shift. They beat Boulazac 81:79 last time out and now follow that with a statement victory over a top-three side.