By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
In Athens and the ‘O.A.C.A’ arena, Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens (8-4) remained undefeated at home with an 80-72 win over AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan (3-9).
The key: Despite the fact that Pascual’s team was down 13 points at 16′, it managed to cut this deficit to just two points before the teams went to the locker rooms for the break.
Panathinaikos‘ scorers: KC Rivers played a huge role in the team’s win as he scored 20 points (6/9 3P) (reached 200 three-pointers in his EL career). Despite exiting the game in the third quarter due to injury, Nick Calathes added 9 points and 12 assists. James Gist added 11 points and 7 rebounds.
The game: Xavi Pascual’s team built an early six-point lead (8-2) (3:00) but was not clicking offensively the remaining seven minutes of the period. With a 2-13 run, the visitors responded and went up ahead by five points showing their will (10-15). The first quarter eventually ended 14-23 with Micov (7 pts) and Tarczewski (6 pts/2 rebs) leading the way.
Rivers and Pappas led ‘Pana’ back in the game with an 8-0 run that put the team just one point back (22-23). Pianigiani’s team with Gudaitis (one of the best U-25 players in the competition) scoring and defending, responded and even increased its lead to 13 points (24-37) at 16′. In the last three minutes of the first half, Rivers was ‘hot’ from beyond the arc, making three three-pointers (5/6 at the half), and so Panathinaikos cut the lead to just two points at half-time (39-41).
The second half was a different story. Since the very first minute of the third period, Panathinaikos showed its intentions, playing tough and physical defense but also converting on the fast break and offense. With a 10-2 run, the Greek champions built a six-point lead (49-43). Jordan Theodore was ejected and so PAO kept on increasing this lead. The period ended 64-57 with the home team controlling the game.
Finally, in the fourth quarter, Olimpia tried to spark a comeback and challenge the home side, but fell short. The Greek team had the upper hand, controlled the tempo and finished off strong.
Not enough: For Milano, Arturas Gudaitis finished with 11 points and three rebounds.