ASVEL ends preseason with hard-fought victory in Dijon
ASVEL won their fifth preseason game out of six matches on Friday night in Dijon. However, the team from Lyon, playing without Nando De Colo and Thomas Heurtel, didn’t shine.
Une dernière victoire avant le début de la saison ! ✅
Nos Villeurbannais s’imposent face à Dijon (70-73) et vous donnent rendez-vous dimanche 29 septembre à l’Astro pour le premier match de la saison face à Nancy ! 🫵
🎟️ https://t.co/Vq6uEGijBX#LDLCASVEL pic.twitter.com/qavu7cpBoJ
— LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) September 19, 2025
A concerning first half
Against a weakened JDA (without Holston, Julien and Narace), Pierric Poupet’s men showed a rather dull performance before halftime. Only 27 points scored in 20 minutes, 1/10 from behind the arc, 7 turnovers and a deficit that grew to -14 (31-17).
« We struggled in the first period… and that’s good because it shows us how far we still have to go. And that nothing will be easy, » commented ASVEL’s coach in Le Progrès.
A second-half revival
Shaken at halftime, the team responded. Led by an effective Shaquille Harrison (22 points on 6/9 shooting, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 7 fouls drawn and 4 steals for a 24 efficiency rating in 23 minutes), Villeurbanne turned things around and took the lead (52-43, then 58-64). But they had to fight until the end, as Dijon came back to within one point (70-71) in the final minute before securing the victory.
« The first half was a good wake-up call. We weren’t showing the intensity or following the game plan we had defined. Now, we need to be proactive rather than reactive, » added Poupet.
Championship time
Despite the warning signs, ASVEL ends its preseason with a positive record (5 wins, 1 loss). Satisfied with the team spirit, Pierric Poupet emphasized: « I have a studious, healthy team that wants to achieve things together. »
The date is now set: the Betclic ELITE season opener will take place on Sunday, September 28th at the Astroballe against Nancy.
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