Coach Fauthoux's men keep on charging in this year's EuroCup
Bourg's 'defense, toughness, character' key in battle of unbeaten teams
In a defensive clash between two unbeaten teams, Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse used its defense to remain perfect on the season, edging Turk Telekom Ankara 67-63 on Tuesday night.
"It's a very good victory against a very good team," Bourg head coach Frederic Fauthoux said after the game. "It was a game for the first place, even if it is only the fourth game. It's the beginning of the season, but it's a great victory. And it was important to win at home."
Just like Fauthoux said, even though it was early in the season, the game really felt like an important one. Every possession seemed significant, the coaches did not allow the opposition to go on big runs without calling a timeout, and in the final 30 seconds, when the winner was decided, both coaches put an emphasis on the point difference, like they both felt it will be very important down the line.
In a game where neither team reached 70 points, it is clear that it was the defensive effort that was the key. Fauthoux loved what he saw from his team.
"This team has a great character. Our defense is very good, we have a lot of toughness," Fauthoux stated.
For Bourg, last season's EuroCup runner-up, the 63 points it allowed is tied for the fewest the club has given up since November 2021, which also means tied for the fewest under Coach Fauthoux, who is in his third season on Bourg's bench.
"We can improve a lot, especially on offense, but for the moment, the defense is great," Fauthoux continued before adding: "We play with 11 players, so we are in good shape by the end of the game. It is a great team victory."