A few hours after the disappearance of Adreian Payne (author of the double with her in 2019 and murdered in Florida at only 31 years old), to whom the Astroballe paid a vibrant tribute before this meeting, Asvel wanted to win against Cholet to retain its first place before the last day of the regular season.
Without Wembanyama, Diot or Morgan spared, she is riding the wave drawn since her elimination from the Coupe de France on March 26 to get off to the best start (20-11 after a quarter), in the wake of an excellent Knight and of an Antetokounmpo author of four blocks and as many rebounds in eight minutes!
Kahudi at 18 points
And as she was dissuasive in defense and very skilful on the other side of the field (53% success rate) she was logically eighteen points ahead (45-27) at the end of a first half which saw her largely dominate in the rackets (75% success in attack, 33% for “CB”).
An 11-0 at the start of the third act should have sheltered her (60-33). But as often this season the Villeurbannais relaxed and after an award-winning basket at the buzzer Cholet and Govens (20 points in 25 minutes) could indeed still believe it before entering the last quarter (66-53).
Much less sovereign they suffered against a revived “CB” (74-68) but logically won a twenty-fifth victory which allows them to have control before the last day of the regular season, since they will conclude it in the lead, and will have the advantage of the field in the play offs, if they win on May 17 in Limoges.
Datasheet
In Villeurbanne (Astroballe): Asvel beats Cholet 87 to 72 (20-11, 25-16, 21-26, 21-19).
Referees: Messrs. Antiphon, Lepercq and Bardera. 5289 spectators.
-For Asvel: Okobo 15, Jones 9, Kahudi 18, Lacombe 2, Knight 11, Gist, Fall 12, Osetkowski 11, Lighty 1, Howard 6, Strazel, Antetokounmpo 2.
-For Cholet: De Sousa, Meeks 5, Makoundou 4, Artis 4, Robineau, Dallo 6, Marsillon, Jok 7, Anosike 7, Govens 23, Campbell 16.