By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
In the final regular-season game in Milan, Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens came back from 17 points to defeat AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan in overtime 95 – 96.
The final minute of overtime had it all. Mike James scored an impressive lay-up, but Andrew Goudelock answered with a two-pointer (93-91). On the following possession, James Gist scored an and-one bucket down low and Panathinaikos regained the lead (93-94). Goudelock responded with a step back shot (95-94). In the final possession, James drove the lane to the basket and put up a lay-up which was partially blocked by Nathan M’Baye. The ball eventually went through the net.
Mike James was once again clutch. He scored 18 points and made the biggest play of the game, while Nick Calathes and James Gist also added 18 points each and some crucial shots down the stretch.
For the losing side, Arturas Gudaitis finished with a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
It was an exciting game in the final minutes of regulation also, with Mike James and James Gist going up against Andrew Goudelock and Dairis Bertans. With two seconds left Bertans was fouled at the three-point line and scored three free-throws to force overtime.
The first half was a different story. With Mindaugas Kuzminskas scoring 14 points (5/5 FG) in 13 minutes, AX Milan built a 17-point lead (47-30), and Panathinaikos was in serious trouble. Armani scored 55 points in the first twenty minutes, shooting 65% from the field.
For more EuroLeague news, click here!