ASVEL Edges Elan Béarnais 106-97 Behind Crowder, Mills After Milanese Injury

The ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne basketball team secured a 106-97 victory over a resilient Elan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez on Saturday, November 7th, overcoming a first-half deficit to win at home. The result follows a challenging week for the visiting side and keeps the Rhône club in the upper echelons of the Betclic Élite.

Early Béarnais Lead Fades After Key Injuries

In the first half, the visiting Béarnais side demonstrated significant aggression and control. Playing with a notable swagger, Pau-Lacq-Orthez built a lead as large as 16 points, holding a 43-54 advantage at the break. This strong performance was largely fueled by the scoring of Justin Briggs, who contributed 18 points, and the playmaking of Gregor Hrovat, who added 17 points in the opening 20 minutes.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically after the break. The Béarnais run was halted in the second quarter when Fabio Milanese, one of the team’s key players, suffered a knee injury on a drive to the basket. The young player did not return, forcing the team to adjust its lineup on the road. This compounded their problems, as they were already playing without Thomas Cornely, who had injured his ankle in a Coupe de France match earlier in the week.

With two primary ball-handlers unavailable, coach Mickaël Hay was forced to improvise. He distributed playmaking duties among Michael Flowers, Bastien Pinault, and Gregor Hrovat, a makeshift solution that was far from ideal against a high-level opponent like ASVEL. This forced adaptation was a significant factor in the game’s turning point.

ASVEL’s Third Quarter Surge Seals the Win

Back at home, ASVEL, coached by Tony Parker, made a powerful defensive response to the visitors’ first-half success. The Villeurbannais clamped down on defense and rediscovered their offensive rhythm in the third quarter. This decisive period was spearheaded by Patty Mills and Jae Crowder, former NBA players.

The two former NBA stars combined for a massive effort. Mills tallied 19 points, including a highly efficient 5-for-6 performance from three-point range, to go along with 6 assists. Crowder added 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Their combined performance propelled a 31-17 run in the third quarter, completely reversing the game’s flow and giving ASVEL a lead they would not relinquish. Yves Pons also provided a significant boost off the bench, scoring 13 points (3-for-4 from three) to extend the pressure on the Béarnais lineup.

Béarnais Fight Back Falls Short

Despite the significant deficit, the Béarnais players showed considerable character and refused to fold. They mounted a late comeback attempt, fighting back to within five points of the Villeurbannais with just one minute remaining in the game. This push was orchestrated by Hrovat, who continued his strong performance with 17 points.

However, ASVEL’s composure proved decisive. With the game on the line, Patty Mills made a crucial three-point shot out of a timeout to entériner the success of his team and effectively seal the game’s outcome. The final score of 106-97 was the same as the Béarnais’s narrow loss to Le Mans the previous week, although that game had gone to overtime.

For the Béarnais, the loss came on the heels of a demanding schedule, including a “double-week” with games against Antibes and a tough trip to the Astroballe. The physical toll of this compacted schedule may have contributed to their inability to sustain their early-game intensity.

League Standings and What’s Next

The victory was crucial for ASVEL, who had suffered two consecutive defeats in all competitions prior to this game. This win allowed them to keep pace with the league’s top teams. The Rhône club now holds a 6-1 record, identical to the records of Paris Basketball and JDA Dijon. ASVEL’s performance at home also reinforced their status as a team that remains undefeated in Elite this season.

For Elan Béarnais, the focus shifts to their next match. After three road games, the Palois will return to the Palais to host Strasbourg on Friday, November 13th, at 20:00.

More on this story: ASVEL Falls 95-99 to Bayern Munich in EuroLeague at LDLC Arena · Paris Basketball claims Betclic Élite lead past Élan Chalon

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the top scorers for each team?

For ASVEL, Patty Mills scored 19 points and Jae Crowder added 21. For Elan Béarnais, Justin Briggs scored 18 points and Gregor Hrovat added 17.

What caused the change in momentum in the second half?

The game’s momentum shifted due to a combination of factors. ASVEL’s defense improved, while Elan Béarnais was significantly hampered by the first-half injury to Fabio Milanese, forcing them to play without their usual starting backcourt.

What is the significance of this result for the league standings?

The win allowed ASVEL to avoid seeing Paris or Dijon pull away alone in the standings. The loss was a setback for Elan Béarnais.