Paris (AFP)

Asvel regained victory in Limoges (75-69), after three consecutive defeats in all competitions, to pick up in Monaco at the head of the French championship, Sunday at the end of the 18th day.

In Villeurbanne, the double season, national and European, begins to be felt. Thus even a short victory, as on the floor of the CSP, does good to the troops of coach Zvezdan Mitrovic.

Defeated by Real Madrid and Belgrade in the Euroleague and, between the two, by Monaco in the Elite, Asvel takes advantage of this return to equal the Monegasques, who remain however first in favor of their victory in direct confrontation; the two clubs with the same record of 16 wins and 2 losses.

Sunday, after a largely dominated first quarter (25-13), Villeurbanne managed the second quarter (18-18) before leading by 18 points in the third (59-41). Moment that Limoges chose to rebel: the locals reduced the gap to nine points when entering the last decisive period.

Limoges even flirted with the feat, coming back several times two or three points from the title holder. But the Lyonnais held, carried by the young Amine Noua (22 years old), the best scorer of the match with 14 points in 18 minutes.

Saturday, Monaco had confirmed its seizure of power by imposing itself on the parquet floor of Strasbourg (98-83). Behind the two leaders, Dijon completes the podium, followed by Levallois.

Asvel continues its infernal calendar season next week with two trips to Turkey against Fenerbahce on Tuesday and Anadolu Efes on Friday, before hosting Bourg-en-Bresse on Sunday.

© 2020 AFP