ÉB Pau-Orthez 86 – 73 Poitiers | LNB Pro B | June 19, 2026

ÉB Pau-Orthez delivered a commanding performance on home hardwood at the Palais des Sports de Pau to defeat Poitiers 86–73 in a pivotal Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro B encounter. The victory kept the Béarnais firmly in the hunt for a top‑four finish in the regular season standings, while Poitiers slipped further into mid‑table territory.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Pau-Orthez dictated the tempo with crisp ball movement and aggressive defense. The home side built an early double‑digit lead behind a 28–18 first quarter, capitalising on Poitiers’ slow start. Although the visitors found some rhythm in the second period, cutting the deficit to eight points by halftime, Pau-Orthez responded with a dominant third quarter to restore control and never looked back.

Key Moments

• First‑quarter explosion: Pau‑Orthez shot 58% from the field in the opening ten minutes, with five different players contributing to the early surge.
• Third‑quarter response: After Poitiers pulled within six points early in the third, Pau‑Orthez unleashed a 14‑4 run, highlighted by back‑to‑back three‑pointers from their leading scorer.
• Clutch free‑throw shooting: In the final five minutes, the home team converted 10 of 12 attempts from the stripe to ice the game.

Standout Players

Pau‑Orthez’s veteran guard led all scorers with 22 points on 8‑of‑14 shooting, adding 5 assists and 4 rebounds. The team’s center posted a double‑double with 14 points and 11 boards, anchoring the paint on both ends. For Poitiers, their point guard managed 18 points and 7 assists, but received insufficient support from the supporting cast, as only two other visitors reached double figures.

Tactical Story

Pau‑Orthez’s ability to control the defensive glass (34 rebounds to Poitiers’ 25) and force 14 turnovers proved decisive. The home team also enjoyed a 19–8 advantage in fast‑break points, turning defensive stops into easy transition baskets. Poitiers struggled to contain dribble penetration, which opened up kick‑out opportunities for Pau‑Orthez’s shooters (9 three‑pointers on 37% shooting).

Season Impact

The win improved Pau‑Orthez’s record to 17‑9, keeping them within two games of the league leaders in the tightly contested Pro B table. Poitiers dropped to 13‑13, remaining in the middle of the pack but still within striking distance of a playoff spot with eight games remaining. The result also extended Pau‑Orthez’s home winning streak to six matches.