Clubbed from the start by Lacombe (7 points at 100% in four minutes), CB misses his start (9-4, 4th). But the Choletais do not panic, and stay in the game by swallowing a lot of rebounds (11 in the first quarter) under the nose of the big local jigs (12-11, 6th). But the balance is precarious, and on two balls lost by Hogg then Campbell, ASVEL creates a first gap (19-13, 9th). After a 7-0 inflicted in three minutes under the impetus of an unleashed Okobo (9 points in 5 minutes), Villeurbanne ended the first quarter at +9 (22-13, 10th).
In the aftermath, the Vila team continued to suffer (26-16, 12th), before the Hogg machine started up: 11 points and 3 rebounds in barely four minutes, and CB came back to life (28 -25, 14th, then 31-28, 15th). But again, the visitors relax. Hogg stupidly loses a ball, Jok lacks firmness to snatch a ball, Govens concedes an avoidable fault on a 3-point shot, and here is ASVEL gone (38-28, 17th). The Choletais finally return to the locker room with a delay of 11 points (43-32, 20th), and a lot of regrets on the missed throws (6/11) and the profusion of lost balls (12 at the break).
Artis relaunches the machine
After the break, CB shows his willingness to hang on (45-39, 23rd). But Villeurbanne has so many weapons that it remains difficult to slow down (51-40, 25th). And yet: four consecutive inspirations from Artis – three baskets, one assist – put the Reds back in the running (51-49, 27th). The small US rear (10 points in this third quarter) does it again a few moments later to further reduce the gap (53-52, 29th). Despite a culpable release in the last moments, Vila’s men attack the home stretch with still serious hopes (58-52, 30th).
Makoundou, from near then from afar, takes care of maintaining them (60-57, 33rd). Then Campbell, also at 3 points, puts the two teams tied for the first time in the match (60-60, 34th). Better, Hogg goes on, and Cholet passes in front, again a first (62-63, 35th)! The Astroballe, dumbfounded, gave voice to put ASVEL back in charge (64-63, 36th). But CB is not decided to surrender, and on a foul obtained with malice by Govens, the outsiders go to +3 at 2’18” from the buzzer (65-68). Villeurbanne then relies on his NBA nugget Elie Okobo who, in two strokes of genius, reverses the situation (70-68, 1’25”). Artis responds (70-70, 1’06”), imitated by Campbell, 15 seconds from time (70-72). Makoundou then fends off a try from Jones. There are 7 seconds left. Too little for ASVEL.
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