As long as he lives … Ionikos hopes! Kouros Sengura’s team put soul and personality in Antwerp, and with a clear mind in the last critical phases left with huge double 90-87 from the Antwerp headquarters for the 5th game of the FIBA Europe Cup!
In an enjoyable game with many changes in the score, the Nikaians got it second viin the group (2-3) and maintained alive their few hopes of qualifying. And this is because Sporting L. will have to be defeated tomorrow by Dexia and at the same time, to cover a difference +33 points from the Portuguese the last race.
“Inconceivable” appearance by Eugene German, with the 24-year-old guard completing the game with 37 points (7/11 double, 7/15 quarter), 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while closely followed by Nikos Hougaz with 25 points and 9 rebounds!
The match
Sluggish start for Ionikos in the game that after the 4-3 in favor in 2 ‘, received a partial series 9-0 with the result that he was quickly behind at -9 (13-4 at 4 ‘). From that point on, Segura’s players skyrocketed their performance and with German looking unstoppable scoring 13 points (!), Ionikos closed the tenth minute at +4 (22-26)!
Hadjikyriakos’ three-pointer at the beginning of the second period increased the difference at +7 (22-29), completing a dreamy three minutes with a 9-0 streak. And where the Nicaeans had the “momentum”, they suffered an unprecedented “Black out” in the next four minutes. During this time, the Belgians with Doncor and Timbi ran an impressive 13-0, going ahead with +6 (35-29). Hugaz and German gnawed the difference with big shots, sending the two teams tied at halftime (45-45).
The second half started like the first. Only now things were even worse for the Greek team, after not only scoring 4 points in the first 6:30 minutes of the third period, but allowing Antwerp to score 17, thus escaping at +15 (62-47 at 26 ‘). But again the … usual suspects, German and Hugaz gave an aggressive “breath” to the Ionian, closing thethe ten minutes in the shot (65-63)!
The thriller continued in the fourth period, where the lead changed a total of eight times! Antwerp entered the last minute with a +2 (85-83), while a little later with a lay-up by Noncore they did at 87-85, 34 seconds before the end. A three-pointer Hugaz but in the next attack and two shots of the Greek ace in the end gave the victory in the Ionian with 90-87.
The quarters: 22-26, 45-45, 65-63, 87-90
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I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
