Asvel Villeurbanne Lyon improved to 3-2 in Group C by knocking off Valencia Basket 79-76 at home. Chris Wright and Edwin Jackson both scored 17 points for Asvel and combined for 10 assists. Amara Sy hit for 14 points and Travis Leslie added 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Valencia dropped to 3-2 in the group despite Justin Doellman collecting 19 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists. Romain Sato scored 18 points, Rafa Martinez had 16 points and Serhiy Lishchuk chipped in 13 points and 9 rebounds. Valencia out-rebounded Asvel 44-33, but shot under 40 percent for the game.

The beginning of the game went back and forth with Martinez’s three-pointer making it 9-10 as the fourth lead change early on. Wright gave Asvel back the lead only to see Doellman’s long ball pushing Valencia ahead 11-13. Asvel scored the next 9-0 points – all nine combined by Thomas Larrouquis and Paccelis Morlende – for a 20-13 lead. The first quarter, which ended with five lead changes and five ties, ended with Asvel up 20-14. Triples by Leslie and Jackson increased the hosts’ advantage to 32-24 only to see Lishchuk score seven straight points to get Valencia within 32-31. Villeurbanne finished the half with a 9-2 run including Sy’s three-pointer at the buzzer for a 41-33 lead. After Marko Keselj opened the second half by giving Asvel a double-digit lead 43-33, Valencia reeled off eight straight points to trim the deficit to 43-41. Wright and Sy each scored four points to get the margin back to 51-43. Valencia punched back with the next seven points before Asvel was ahead 53-50 after three quarters. Sato gave Valencia the lead 53-54 but was answered by a Wright basket and back-to-back triples from Jackson for a 62-54 advantage. Doellman hit eight straight points for Valencia to bring the guests within 64-62. Asvel moved back up by seven points before a triple from Martinez made it 71-67 with two minutes to play. Jackson answered with a three-ball and Wright’s basket had Asvel up 76-69 with 1:25 minutes left. Sato and Martinez both made treys for Valencia down the stretch but Sy, Georgi Joseph and Jackson each made one free throw to secure the win.