Despite this defeat, Asvel has a balanced record (seven wins for as many defeats) but loses a place (10th) and remains at the gates of the top eight qualifier for the play-offs.
After a very balanced first half, at the end of which Vitoria had only a small advantage (45-44), Villeurbanne kept all his chances of victory.
His American back Chris Jones had scored nearly a third of his team's points (15 points, 6/9 shooting), suggesting a great performance.
But he had a breakdown in the third quarter, and in his wake, the whole Asvel cracked, struggling to find solutions offensively.
Opposite, the Basques dominated inside thanks to their pivotal holder Steven Enoch (14 points) and replacing Landry Nnoko (7 points to 3/3 shooting).
For his first Euroleague season, the young Victor Wembanyama (17), called to become the headliner of French basketball, is still a little tender in the racket, both in attack and defense, despite his size ( 2 m 19).
By scoring ten points, he achieved his best total in the Euroleague this season, but he especially scored at three points (2/5), clumsy closer to the circle (1/8), with two free throws registered in as many attempts .
Well contained, the former Nanterre let his frustration burst on a raging dunk in front of two opponents, a few seconds from the end.
At his side, Elie Okobo, author of good performances on the European scene so far, missed out (7 pts to 2/8).
It was too little against the outside address of the Basques (11/22), led by gunner Simone Fontecchio (15 pts, 6/8), quarter-finalist of the Tokyo Olympics with Italy.
© 2021 AFP