JDA Dijon coach Jacques Monclar remained upbeat after seeing his team push EuroCup heavyweights Akasvayu Girona all the way in a pulsating Group L match on Tuesday.

The French side ended up losing 90-89, American guards Marvis Linwood Thornton and Ariel McDonald each making a pair of free throws in the final 10 seconds to see the Spaniards home.

But Dijon, who went 87-86 ahead with 29 minutes remaining, matched their opponents all the way, and Monclar believes his players can be proud of their performance.

"The team showed heart and amazing desire, but we just lost the ball under pressure at the end," he said.

"It is disappointing but it was a great display by the players, who showed great desire.

"At the start, the Spanish team had great energy but we started to get that energy.

"They are a strong team and it is a great thing for our youngsters to see the intensity of Marko Marinovic, and the class of certain others."

Serbia point guard Marinovic and Venezuelan center German Gabriel, who was also singled out for praise by Monclar, were both impressive and weighed in with 13 points apiece.

But it was the game-high 22 points of Thornton that really made the difference as Akasvayu made it two wins out of two in Round II.

Dijon's top scorer was American big man Anthony Lux (20 points), while Laurent Sciarra was typically efficient with 14 points and 13 assists.

But it was his two fouls at the death which led to the match-winning braces from the charity stripe by Thornton and McDonald.

"It is hard to take. But a match isn't five minutes, it's four times 10 minutes," said Monclar.

Dijon have now lost both their opening two group games in Round II.