Roanne Beats Boulazac 81-79 in Betclic Elite Opener

The Chorale de Roanne secured an 81-79 victory against Boulazac at the Palio on September 26, 2026, opening their Betclic Elite campaign with a narrow win on the road.

Travante Williams Ignites Roanne Offense Early

Roanne established control immediately through the outside shooting of Travante Williams, who scored 14 of his 22 total points in the opening quarter alone. Williams finished the match shooting 6-for-11 from beyond the arc, staking the visitors to an early 26-15 advantage after the first ten minutes. The team’s defensive intensity and rebounding dominance allowed them to maintain control through the first half.

Aaron Estrada and Patrick Beverley Lead Boulazac Rally

Boulazac clawed back into the contest behind Aaron Estrada and Patrick Beverley. Estrada led all scorers for Boulazac with 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting, while Beverley added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in his debut with the Périgourdins. Beverley previously spent 12 seasons in the NBA before playing for Hapoel Tel-Aviv and PAOK Salonique. Boulazac head coach Alexandre Ménard has spent the early part of the season integrating veterans like Beverley and Antoine Eïto into tactical systems, noting that learning relies on repetition and progressivity.

Darius Johnson Secures Victory in Final Minute

The turning point arrived with 1 minute and 43 seconds remaining when Roanne’s Williams fouled out of the match after accumulating five personal fouls. Boulazac capitalized when Beverley sank free throws to push the home side ahead 79-74. Darius Johnson then took over for Roanne, scoring five points on a three-pointer and two mid-range jumpers to reclaim an 81-79 lead before a mid-court heave from Beverley missed the mark at the final buzzer.

Upcoming Betclic Elite Fixtures on October 2, 2026

Roanne returns to the Halle André-Vacheresse on October 2, 2026, to host Nanterre 92 for their first home fixture of the season, backed by a membership base that has surpassed 1,000 general public subscribers. Meanwhile, Boulazac travels to face SIG Strasbourg, looking to secure their first win of the campaign.