Nanterre dropped to the bottom of its Basketball Champions League group on Wednesday after a 102-82 loss to Rytas Vilnius in Lithuania.
The defeat marks the first time this season that the French side has conceded more than 100 points in a single game. The visitors were unable to replicate their performance from the previous meeting between the two clubs, where they secured a 93-65 victory at Maurice Thorez.
While Nanterre entered the contest following two consecutive wins in the domestic league, they struggled to contain their opponents in the hostile environment of the Vilnius arena. The venue, known for its vocal “Red Wall” of supporters, has now witnessed 13 visiting teams in the BCL fall to the home side.
Despite securing 14 offensive rebounds—including five by Mitchell Saxen—the team could not capitalize on second-chance opportunities. The visitors struggled significantly from behind the arc, finishing with an 8/30 performance on three-pointers. Xavier Castaneda, typically a reliable perimeter threat, was limited to 2/11 shooting despite finishing with 18 points. In contrast, Rytas Vilnius demonstrated superior efficiency from long range, connecting on 17 of 29 attempts for a 59% success rate.
Nanterre, which currently ranks as the slowest-paced team in the BCL with a pace of 69, found itself unable to dictate the tempo of the game. The defensive breakdown allowed Vilnius to surpass the century mark, a statistical threshold that has not been breached by an opponent against Nanterre until this meeting.
The loss leaves Nanterre in a difficult position within the group standings. Following a 91-72 victory by Sabah BC over Trabzonspor on Tuesday, the group dynamic shifted, leaving all four teams with the potential to reach an even 2-2 record.
Nanterre failed to capitalize on that opportunity and now sits in last place with a 1-3 record. With two rounds remaining in the first phase of the competition, Nanterre faces a narrow path to advancement. The team is scheduled to host both Sabah BC and Trabzonspor in December.
