ASVEL secured a narrow victory against La Rochelle on January 14, 2025, finalizing the match at 75-79. This win was pivotal as it positioned ASVEL as co-leaders of the Betclic Élite championship alongside Cholet, with both teams holding identical records of 11 wins and 3 losses.
The game, taking place at the Salle Gaston Leveur, was marked by intense action and close scores. ASVEL struggled at the beginning, initially trailing behind La Rochelle, who took advantage with a strong 16-0 scoring run, leading the match at 26-18 during the second quarter. The local team seemed poised to pick up their first home win of the season after suffering eight consecutive losses.
Despite the rocky start, ASVEL found its footing after halftime. Player Paris Lee led the charge, contributing 20 points and ensuring significant momentum shifts. ASVEL managed to turn the tides by the end of the third quarter, reaching 59 points against La Rochelle's 49.
Nevertheless, La Rochelle was unwilling to go down without a fight. Ryan Hawkins kept La Rochelle within reach, scoring 18 points, and Clifton Moore added 10 points alongside seven rebounds. By the final moments of the game, La Rochelle was just behind ASVEL at 70-73, with tension rising as every point counted.
With only one minute left, Joshiko Saibou hit a pivotal three-pointer, raising the hopes of the home crowd and narrowing ASVEL’s lead to just two points at 75-73. Only seconds were left on the clock, and ASVEL found themselves just inches from a potential overtime situation.
It was the agility and poise of ASVEL's squad, particularly from Shaquille Harrison with 12 points, and Paris Lee’s pressing offensive strategy, which led them to hold on until the final buzzer.
ASVEL's coach, Pierric Poupet, reflected on the match's intensity, stating, "Grâce à son succès dans les dernières secondes...l'ASVEL est revenue à hauteur de Cholet (11 victoires et 3 défaites) au classement de la Betclic Élite." The victory, though narrowly earned, was significant for the team's morale, especially after recent struggles in the EuroLeague.
Looking forward, ASVEL will face Anadolu Efes on Friday, January 19, 2025, as part of the EuroLeague, where they aim to build on this momentum. Meanwhile, La Rochelle must regroup and push past the disappointment of their ninth consecutive loss. With looming challenges, both teams have their eyes set on solidifying their standings and improving their respective performances.