Villeurbanne (AFP)

Asvel Lyon-Villeurbanne abandoned the slim hopes of qualifying for the play-offs that it still maintained by losing to Fenerbahçe Istanbul (90-86), Friday in its room at the Astroballe after a high level match of the 28th day.

Beaten in Kaunas (85-75), Tuesday, the Villeurbannais, 12th in the standings with four victories from the eighth, concede their second defeat in a row (the sixteenth this season for twelve successes) after having achieved a good series of six wins in a row which could give them hope of finishing in the Top 8.

For its part, the Fener (7th, 17 wins, 11 losses), still in the race for the final phase, recorded its twelfth success including that of the first leg against Villeurbanne (81-59, December 30) over the last thirteen days.

Asvel, who only returned from Lithuania on Thursday evening after a difficult and grueling trip, were quickly challenged in terms of intensity and were down 5-15 in the first quarter.

But the champions of France have raised the level of defense to return to the game and challenge the superiority of their opponent to the end.

"In the first half, we did not do the right thing by losing too many balls but we rectified well in the second half. But in this type of match, against big teams, it is played on details that escaped us and we left too many easy things at the end, by lack of communication. That's what we're losing ", regrets Villeurbanne coach TJ Parker.

Thus, the score was only 40-38 in favor of the Stambouliotes at half-time but once again Villeurbanne delivered a good third quarter, won 22-19, to lead 60-59 ten minutes from the end.

Asvel, good on interior shots (55%) and free throws (86%), with ten stray balls and 17 assists, benefited from the good performance of Belgian Ismaël Bako (14 pts), William Howard (12 pts), Norris Cole (14 pts) but also once again David Lighty (15 pts).

For his part, Fenerbahçe was once again able to count on the efficiency of Frenchman Nando De Colo, best player of the match (24 points), determining at the end of the game, Marko Guduric (13) and Dyshawn Pierre (13).

© 2021 AFP