BNP Parisbas edged BBC House Startups 31-30 in a very tight Bascol Coupe pre-eliminatory, round 1, with the winning side needing a late final point to separate the teams.

The opening was slow, but HST settled first and moved in front 8-5. BNP stayed close through Mohamed Zarraa (BNP), who was decisive from the start with an early 3-point sequence and then kept attacking inside. Coach Alexandre Steeve's team changed the rhythm early in the second period with a 6-0 run, turning 5-8 into 11-8. The game remained balanced, yet BNP reached 17-15 with Zarraa and Maxime Detourbe (BNP) giving them reliable scoring.

The key break came after 17-17 in the third period. BNP produced the best run of the night, a 9-2 stretch, and built the game's highest lead at 26-19. Zarraa was again central, and Yves Antoine Ekamby (BNP) added important baskets. Zarraa finished with 16 points, more than half of BNP's total, while Ekamby scored 6 and Detourbe added 4.

HST did not fade. After BNP reached 30-24 in the fourth, House Startups came back strongly. Marko Burcul (HST) caught fire late and scored 7 consecutive points for his team, including two 3-pointers, to level the score at 30-30. He finished with 8 points. Jekabs Vinauds (HST) and Simon Teuwens (HST) each added 6, and Mikhail Erman (HST) and Lucas Leguina Aranda (HST) scored 4 apiece.

With the game tied, Jérôme Vergendo (BNP) converted the last BNP point from the line, which proved to be the winning margin in a one-possession finish.
(AI generated)