Montpellier ended LFB season for
Challes-les-Eaux

Lattes Montpellier are back in a LFB Championship final series after a four-year absence (2008). They eliminated Challes-les-Eaux in the deciding game (52-47) to clinch the series 2-1.

Edwige Lawson-Wade who was named as the Ligue Féminine de Basketball 2011-2012 player of the year was the match winner for Montpellier with 17 points and 5 assists.

In similar circumstances to last season Mistie Mims disappeared offensively during the big game in the post season.

She managed to score just 7 points which is 12 points below her season average and she just took 3 rebounds.

In the absence of Mims' offensive skills, Emilija Podrug scored 14 points while picking up 13 rebounds. Danielle Page also finished in double digits with 11 points.

Challes-les-Eauxs started the game well with an (8-0) opening. However the hosts Montpellier were fortunate that Ana Lelas and Lawson-Wade (in picture) were able to connect from the land of many as they struggled to get going.

Challes-les-Eaux led (16-8) at the end of the first quarter and had their biggest advantage of the game (21-12) on the 14- minute mark after a trey by Alexia Plagnard.

Challes-les-Eaux were unable to push their lead any further which allowed Montpellier to stay within striking range (24-29) thanks to some exceptional shooting by Lelas.

After the break Montpellier played a different game and with Fatimatou Sacko taking over from Lelas in scoring and also Lawson-Wade firing on all cylinders Montpellier were soon level (31-31).

For Challes-les-Eaux the game became more difficult with Romy Bär sitting on the bench with 4 fouls, and Mims not able to break the double-team marking on her.

Challes' turnover count went up and Montpellier finished the third quarter with a 6-point lead (39-33).

Montpellier were then in total control. By the 36th minute their advantage had grown to 14 points and the contest was more or less over.

Although Challes-les-Eaux did reduce the deficit in the closing minutes to single digits, Montpellier were not in danger of letting this game escape them.

Lattes Montpellier: Léa Blatrie DNP, Virginie Brémont 3, Mathilde Roche DNP, Diandra Tchatchouang 0, Edwige Lawson-Wade 17 (5 assists, 3 steals), Ana Lelas 12, Gaëlle Skrela 3, Sandra Dijon-Gérardin 5, Stephany Skrba 6, Fatimatou Sacko 6

Challes-les-Eaux: Anaël Lardy 1, Romy Bär 7, Alexia Plagnard 7, Mistie Mims 7, Mélanie Plust 0, Sara Chevaugeon 0, Claire Michel DNP, Danielle Page 11, Emilija Podrug 14 (13 rebounds)

Look back at what happened in semi-final game two

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