Women’s Asvel finally tasted success in the Euroleague basketball, victorious in the last seconds on Wednesday at home to Polish Lublin (73-72) after five defeats to start the season.
The Lyonnaises, who occupied the bottom place in Group A before this 6th day, are two wins behind the fourth and last qualifying place, occupied by Valencia with eight days remaining. The return of their internationals Gabby Williams and Marine Johannès, after the WNBA season, coincided with this first success which, however, almost escaped them.
At the Astroballe, they squandered a 10-point lead five minutes from the end (69-59) to find themselves trailing after a winning shot from Elin Gustavfsson 15 seconds from the siren (72-71) sanctioning a ball lost by Williams. But the French international winger (15 pts, 7 rebounds and 6 assists), essential with Marine Fauthoux (17 pts, 4 rebounds and 4 pd), made up for it by serving on the following possession, full of lucidity, the American Stephanie Dolson, just arrived at the pivot position (73-72). The last Polish possession achieved nothing.
In group B, Villeneuve-d’Ascq pocketed, at home against Basket Landes (74-61), its third victory which allows it to climb back up to fourth place.