Published on December 23, 2025 at 09:45 PM by driblio.net
Date
2025-12-23
Venue
Round
Round 18
Attendance
8791
In one of the most electrifying contests of the EuroLeague season, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne emerged victorious in a double overtime thriller against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, claiming a hard-fought 103-99 victory at home on December 23rd. The 8,791 fans in attendance witnessed a basketball marathon that lasted 50 minutes, featuring spectacular performances, dramatic momentum swings, and clutch plays that kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
The game showcased the resilience of both teams, with neither side willing to surrender. After regulation time ended deadlocked and the first overtime period failing to separate the competitors, it took a second extra session for ASVEL to finally secure their second consecutive home victory, breaking a difficult spell that had seen them win just two of their previous seven EuroLeague encounters.
The hero of the evening was undoubtedly Bastien Vautier, who delivered a career-defining performance off the bench. The French forward exploded for 28 points on a remarkable 10-of-13 shooting from two-point range, demonstrating exceptional efficiency when his team needed him most. Vautier's impact extended beyond scoring, as he grabbed four offensive rebounds, dished out an assist, and recorded two steals while maintaining a stellar plus-minus of +12.
Vautier's ability to attack the basket relentlessly and convert high-percentage shots proved crucial in the overtime periods. His eight successful free throws from twelve attempts in pressure situations showcased mental toughness and composure beyond his years. The 28-point outburst represented not just a personal milestone but also highlighted ASVEL's depth and the contribution of their supporting cast in crucial moments.
Glynn Watson provided excellent support with 18 points, converting 6-of-10 from inside the arc while adding two rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Watson's plus-minus of +12 matched Vautier's, underlining his importance to ASVEL's success. Thomas Heurtel orchestrated the offense masterfully with 17 points and eight assists over more than 33 minutes, displaying the veteran savvy that has defined his distinguished career.
Anadolu Efes Istanbul received outstanding performances from multiple players, with Nick Weiler-Babb leading the charge with 20 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. The German guard shot an impressive 4-of-5 from beyond the arc and was perfect from the free-throw line, posting a team-high efficiency rating of 28. His plus-minus of +7 indicated his positive impact whenever he was on the court during his nearly 47 minutes of action.
Isaia Cordinier matched Weiler-Babb's 20-point output, contributing four rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block. Despite shooting just 2-of-7 from three-point range, Cordinier's aggressiveness in attacking the basket and drawing fouls resulted in six successful free throws from seven attempts. His all-around game kept Efes competitive throughout the extended contest.
Vincent Poirier dominated the paint with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting, adding eight rebounds (four offensive), three assists, a steal, and a block. The French center's physical presence and ability to score efficiently inside provided Efes with a consistent interior threat. His six trips to the free-throw line demonstrated his success in drawing contact and creating scoring opportunities in traffic.
Regulation time ended with the score knotted at 80-80 after ASVEL edged the fourth quarter 22-18 to erase a deficit. The first overtime period saw both teams score 12 points apiece, as neither could gain the decisive advantage. The tension was palpable as players from both sides fought exhaustion while executing crucial plays.
The second overtime proved decisive, with ASVEL outscoring Efes 11-7 in the final five-minute period. Mbaye Ndiaye came up huge in the extended minutes, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and three blocks while posting a plus-minus of +11. His defensive versatility and energy off the bench provided ASVEL with the spark they needed when fatigue began affecting both teams.
Zachary Seljaas contributed nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from three-point range, providing crucial floor spacing that allowed ASVEL's interior players to operate more effectively. His plus-minus of +2 reflected his steady contribution during his 37 minutes on the court.
ASVEL's victory can be attributed to their superior performance in key statistical categories during the overtime periods. While Efes struggled with turnovers and foul trouble, ASVEL's bench outscored their opponents significantly, with Vautier, Watson, Ndiaye, and Heurtel combining for 76 points compared to Efes's bench production.
Rodrigue Beaubois battled for Efes with eight points in nearly 38 minutes, though he struggled with his shot, converting just 3-of-11 from the field. Cole Swider provided nine points on perfect 2-of-2 three-point shooting and 3-of-3 free throws, but foul trouble limited his impact as he picked up four personals.
The game also saw contributions from Sehmus Hazer, who added eight points in 28 minutes off the bench for Efes, and Rolands Smits, who chipped in five points and three rebounds despite battling foul trouble with four personals.
For ASVEL, this victory represents a potential turning point in their season. After struggling through a difficult stretch that included five losses in seven games, consecutive home victories against FC Bayern Munich and now Efes could provide the momentum needed to climb the EuroLeague standings. The emergence of players like Vautier and the consistent production from veterans like Heurtel and Nando De Colo, who contributed five points and seven assists, gives coach confidence in the team's depth.
For Efes, the loss extends their difficult run to four defeats in their last five games. Despite strong individual performances from Weiler-Babb, Cordinier, and Poirier, the team's inability to close out games remains a concern. The narrow margin of defeat in double overtime, however, demonstrates that Efes remains competitive and capable of challenging any opponent on any given night.
Edwin Jackson added seven points and a steal for ASVEL in limited minutes, while Bodian Massa contributed two points and two rebounds in the starting lineup. The collective effort from ASVEL's entire roster proved essential in outlasting a talented Efes squad over 50 minutes of intense basketball.
This double overtime thriller will be remembered as one of the season's most entertaining contests, showcasing the competitive balance and high quality of EuroLeague basketball. Both teams displayed tremendous heart and determination, refusing to yield despite mounting fatigue and pressure. The victory keeps ASVEL's playoff hopes alive while providing valuable lessons for Efes as they navigate the remainder of the regular season. For the fans in attendance and those watching worldwide, this was basketball at its finest—a genuine marathon that rewarded persistence, depth, and clutch execution.
| Rank | Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BASTIEN VAUTIER | ASV | 28 | 4 | 1 |
| 2 | NICK WEILER-BABB | EFS | 20 | 6 | 8 |
| 3 | ISAIA CORDINIER | EFS | 20 | 4 | 2 |
| 4 | GLYNN WATSON | ASV | 18 | 2 | 2 |
| 5 | VINCENT POIRIER | EFS | 17 | 8 | 3 |
Paris Basketball overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat ASVEL 90-81 at home in a crucial EuroLeague French derby. Justin Robinson led all scorers with 25 points, six assists, and six rebounds, while Allan Dokossi added 12 points. Paris dominated the third quarter 29-13 to seize control and never looked back.
Published on March 12, 2026 at 10:11 PM by driblio.net
Anadolu Efes Istanbul defeated FC Bayern Munich 81-80 in a thrilling Round 31 encounter, with Jordan Loyd scoring 20 points and Cole Swider hitting the game-winning three-pointer with one second remaining. Efes overcame a 13-point halftime deficit behind a dominant third quarter, outscoring Bayern 27-19 to set up the dramatic finish.
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LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne defeated Anadolu Efes Istanbul 91-88 in a thrilling Round 30 clash. Braian Angola led ASVEL with 26 points, supported by Thomas Heurtel's 14 points and seven assists. Sehmus Hazer scored 20 for Efes, but the home team's starting lineup struggled, leading to their defeat.
Published on March 6, 2026 at 07:34 PM by driblio.net
