Thriller from another era with AEK Betsson as the winner! His team Dragan Sakota struggled a lot but won 75-71 in overtime Panionio on leave due to suspension ‘Sunel Arena’, moved up to 4-4 in her standings Stoiximan GBL and dropped to the same record the “blue-reds” who remain without a pink sheet away from home.
The match had a very low tempo, with both teams staying very close to the score. Only the Panionios managed to get away with +11 (18-29) early, but Union quickly erased that lead and since then neither has taken much difference.
A hero for the Union was RayQuan Graywho scored 22 points and a crucial basket that sent the game into overtime (64-64) with 14 seconds left. He had 15 points and 8 rebounds Mindaugas Kuzminskas and 11 points o Grand Golden.
Among the losers, who came closer than ever to their first “double”, stood out Landry Noko with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while 13 points were scored by Devin Canady. 10 points for him Kendall Smithwho missed a game-winning shot in regular time and a game-tying shot in overtime.
In the 9th matchday AEK Betsson will play at Dove (7/12 at 20:15), while o Panionios will welcome him Panathinaikos (8/12 at 20:15).
The match
The match was taken from… another era, having a very low pace and score. The “blue and red” took the game to their own tempo early on and maintained it in favor of them for most of the first half, getting up to +11 (18-29) early on, with AEK Betsson quickly coming back before the break though.
In the second part, the same scenario continued. His team Ari Lykogiannis was trying to escape (39-46) but the hosts showed strong resistance and managed to take the lead before the end of the third quarter (49-48). Somehow, the match became a derby until the final.
About 1 minute before the end, o Kendall Smith made a basket that sent Panionios to +4 (60-64) and victory seemed close. However, AEK Betsson found big baskets from them Grand Golden and Raekwan Graywhile Smith missed the chance to give the victory to Panionios at the end of time and the match went to overtime (64-64).
In the extra five minutes, the derby continued, with Smith to score a big three-pointer (68-69) and the until then “off” Hale to answer him (71-69) 1:30 minutes before the finale. Kanadi tied the game (71-71) with a layup, but Mindaugas Kuzminskas made two shots (73-71). Smith airballed the equalizing shot and AEK took the win.
The quarters: 15-17, 29-33, 49-48, 64-64 (cit.), 75-71 (para.)
AEK Betsson (Sakota): Gray 22 (6/8 2-pointers, 2/6 3-pointers, 4/6 shots, 7 rebounds, 2 assists), Hamp (0/6 shots), Nezipoglu 5 (1), Golden 11 (5/6 2-pointers, 1/1 shot, 3 rebounds, 2 assists), Hale 9 (2/6 2-pointers, 1/3 three-pointers, 2/2 shots, 4 rebounds, 2 assists), Skordilis 9 (3/5 two-pointers, 3/4 shots), Karabelas 2, Flionis 2, Fillios, Kuzminskas 15 (2/3 two-pointers, 0/3 three-pointers, 11 /12 shots, 8 rebounds, 2 assists)
Panionios (Lykogiannis): Smith 10 (3/9 2-pointers, 1/3 3-pointers, 1/4 shots), Woolridge 6 (3/6 2-pointers, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers), Davis 7 (1/4 2-pointers, 1/ 3 3-pointers, 2/2 shots, 5 rebounds, 2 assists), Salustros 6 (2), Noko 15 (5/9 two-pointers, 5/5 shots, 11 rebounds, 3 assists), Milendijevic, Tsalbouris 2 (1/6 shots), Kaklamanakis, Brown 9 (3/4 two-pointers, 1/4 three-pointers, 6 rebounds), Canady 13 (4/6 2-pointers, 1/7 3-pointers, 2/3 shots), Gikas 3 (1 3-pointer, 7 assists)
Source: Sport Fm
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