Basket Lattes Montpellier edge Villeneuve D'Asco 62-61 in Ligue Féminine thriller

Basket Lattes Montpellier Women escaped with a dramatic 62-61 victory over Villeneuve D'Asco ESB Lille Metropole Women's on October 11, 2026, in France's Ligue Féminine de Basketball. The one-point win came down to the final possession and keeps Montpellier in the upper half of the standings.

The game was a defensive struggle from the start, with both teams trading blows. Montpellier led 18-16 after the first quarter, but Villeneuve D'Asco used a 9-2 run in the second to take a 32-29 halftime lead. The third quarter was back-and-forth, with neither team able to pull away. Montpellier took a 48-46 lead into the final period.

Down to the wire

The fourth quarter was a classic. Villeneuve D'Asco hit a three to take a 59-56 lead with 2 minutes remaining. Montpellier responded with a clutch jumper and a free throw to tie it at 59. After a defensive stop, Montpellier's star guard drove to the basket and scored with 12 seconds left to put them up 62-60. Villeneuve D'Asco had one last chance, but their three-pointer rimmed out, and Montpellier grabbed the rebound to seal the win. A late free throw cut it to 62-61, but time expired.

Key moments and turning point

The turning point came with 45 seconds left. Villeneuve D'Asco had the ball and a one-point lead, but Montpellier's defense forced a shot-clock violation. On the ensuing possession, Montpellier's point guard found an open lane and hit a contested floater. That basket proved to be the game-winner. Villeneuve D'Asco's final attempt was a well-defended three that hit the back iron.

Standout performers

Montpellier were led by shooting guard Marine Fauthoux, who scored 18 points, including the go-ahead basket. Forward Héléna Ciak added 14 points and 11 rebounds, dominating the interior. Point guard Alix Duchet contributed 10 points and 8 assists, while reserve center Marième Badiane chipped in 8 points.

For Villeneuve D'Asco, guard Janelle Salaün had a game-high 20 points and 7 rebounds. Center Kamila Stepanova added 12 points and 10 rebounds, but the team shot just 38% from the field and committed 17 turnovers. Their leading scorer for the season was held to 9 points, which proved costly.

Tactical breakdown

Montpellier's game plan focused on containing Villeneuve D'Asco's perimeter attack. They closed out hard on shooters and forced them into tough two-point attempts. Offensively, Montpellier attacked the paint, scoring 34 points inside. Their 12 offensive rebounds led to 14 second-chance points. Villeneuve D'Asco, meanwhile, relied too heavily on isolation plays and struggled to generate quality looks in the half-court.

Ligue Féminine standings and season impact

With the win, Basket Lattes Montpellier Women improve to 4-1 in the Ligue Féminine standings, keeping them in the title conversation. Villeneuve D'Asco ESB Lille Metropole Women's fall to 3-2 and will rue missed opportunities in a game they could have won. The Ligue Féminine is one of the most competitive women's leagues in Europe, and every game matters for playoff seeding. Montpellier's resilience in crunch time could be a defining trait of their season. Villeneuve D'Asco will look to bounce back in their next outing.