Villeurbanne lost 108-79 on the floor of Khimki Moscow in the Euroleague on Friday evening, suffering the 17th defeat of the season in the queen competition of European basketball and sinking into 16th place.
After a week of the international break, the Villeurbannais were quickly outdistanced, registering a delay of 7 points at the end of the 1st quarter. At halftime, the gap was unstoppable (65-42) after a second-quarter clearly dominated by the Russians.
Against Muscovites still in the race to appear in the Top 8 and participate in the play-offs, but which they had dominated at the Astroballe in December (92-88), the Villeurbannais have never shown themselves to be really dangerous.
Adreian Payne (14 points), and David Lighty (12 points) finished top scorers for Asvel, while opposite Russian back Alexey Shved signed a double-double with 24 points and 13 assists.
Antoine Diot’s teammates are in 16th place and have only two successes ahead of Zenit Saint Petersburg, last. Eight days from the end, they point to three wins from eighth place, occupied by their executioners of the day.
The Rhodaniens will have to refocus on the championship in view of an announced shock against Monaco, co-leader of Jeep Elite with Dijon, Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at the Astroballe. Players from the suburbs of Lyon will receive Valence on the next day of Euroleague Tuesday (March 3).
