ROANNE, France (Interstat) — Chorale Roanne will host Pau-Orthez on Friday at Halle Andre Vacheresse in a pivotal LNB Pro B matchup as the season nears its climax.

Roanne (30-8) enters with the league’s best record, while Pau-Orthez (27-12) sits among the top contenders. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time.

Roanne has won four straight games, including a 93-79 victory at St Chamond B on May 8. Forward Dylan Affo Mama has been a consistent catalyst. In that win, he posted 21 points and five rebounds in 19 minutes. Over his last five games, Affo Mama has averaged 9.2 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting efficiently. The 6-foot-7 forward’s ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions has been central to Roanne’s balanced attack, which ranks among the top scoring teams in the division.

Pau-Orthez counter with forward Sitraka Raharimanantoainina, who has been dominant lately. In his past five outings, he has recorded three double-doubles, including a 23-point, 12-rebound effort in a 92-71 win over Antibes on April 25. Most recently, he contributed 17 points and six rebounds in 24 minutes during a 72-62 victory against Vichy on May 10. The versatile big man leads Pau-Orthez in scoring and rebounding, providing an inside-outside threat that could test Roanne’s interior defense.

The teams met Jan. 16 in Pau, with Roanne claiming a 93-88 victory at Pau-Orthez’s home floor. That result extended Roanne’s recent head-to-head momentum, as the visitors will seek to split the season series.

Roanne has been particularly strong at home, where it has lost only twice all season. Coach Laurent Pluvy’s squad boasts depth off the bench, including guards Harvey Gauthier and Javon Ferguson, who combined for 25 points in the win over St Chamond B.

Pau-Orthez, meanwhile, has shown resilience on the road with key victories this season, including a 97-90 triumph at Poitiers on April 30. Coach Elric Delord will rely on the experience of guard Thomas Cornely and point guard Fabio Milanese to manage the tempo and limit Roanne’s transition opportunities.

Friday’s matchup carries significant playoff implications, with both teams jockeying for seeding in the Pro B postseason. A win for Roanne would further solidify its hold on first place, while Pau-Orthez can close the gap in the standings with a statement victory on the road.