Bourg-en-Bresse – December 27, 2025 – After 21 long years, JL Bourg finally conquered its rival, LDLC ASVEL, with an 81-79 victory at the Ekinox arena. The win marks a historic moment for Bourg, ending a frustrating home losing streak against their formidable opponents.
A Historic Upset: Bourg Ends ASVEL’s Dominance
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The victory over ASVEL is Bourg’s first home win against their rivals in over two decades, signaling a shift in the balance of power.
In a tightly contested match, JL Bourg demonstrated superior execution in the second half, fueled by a dominant performance from Adam Malokaka, who tallied 20 points and 7 rebounds. Despite a late basket at the buzzer from Nando De Colo, ASVEL couldn’t overcome Bourg’s intensity and ultimately succumbed on the road.
Nanterre Secures Ile-de-France Derby Win
In a raucous atmosphere at the Maurice-Thorez arena, Nanterre 92 defeated Paris Basketball 99-83. Julien Mahé’s team controlled the tempo, building a lead in the first half despite struggles from beyond the arc. A standout performance from 17-year-old Hugo Yimga-Moukouri, who contributed 16 points, 6 rebounds, and zero turnovers, proved pivotal for Nanterre.
Leaders Cup Spots Secured, Others Struggle
SIG Strasbourg clinched a spot in the Leaders Cup with a decisive 100-82 victory over Limoges CSP, led by a record-breaking 29-point performance from Mike Davis Jr. Meanwhile, Le Mans Sarthe Basketball continued its winning streak, defeating Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball 90-74, also securing their place in the tournament.
What is the Leaders Cup? The Leaders Cup is a French basketball cup competition featuring the top teams from the Betclic ELITE league, offering a mid-season showcase and a chance for silverware.
Boulazac Basket Dordogne concluded 2025 with a hard-fought 79-78 victory against JDA Dijon, sealed by a clutch free throw from Angelo Warner in the final seconds. Cholet Basket also secured a win, defeating Portel 94-84, thanks to strong playmaking from Gerald Ayayi. Élan Chalon emerged victorious against SLUC Nancy, though the Lorraines are concerned about a potential injury to their captain, Enzo Goudou-Sinha.
Three Key Takeaways
- Bourg ended a 21-year drought, defeating ASVEL at home in a historic victory.
- Nanterre continued its impressive form, powered by the emergence of young talent Hugo Yimga-Moukouri.
- Strasbourg and Le Mans qualified for the Leaders Cup, while Limoges and Saint-Quentin face challenges.
The Betclic ELITE now turns its attention to the All-Star Game LNB 2025 before resuming league play in January with the championship race heating up.
