By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
KIROBLET Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz picked up its third win this season (3-6), after defeating Panathinaikos OPAP Athens, 86 -77 at home. Meanwhile, the visiting side slipped to a 5-4 record and continues to struggle on the road (1-4).
The hosts forced Panathinaikos to shoot 5/14 from the field in the first quarter and with Tornike Shengelia (11 points / four rebounds) and Vincent Poirier leading the way offensively, they picked up an eight-point first quarter lead (20-12).
Despite Nikos Pappas’ ten points in the second period, Panathinaikos finished the first half with 32 points. On the other hand, Baskonia out-rebounded Panathinaikos (17-10) and with 12 first half assists, increased its lead to double-digits (44-32).
Xavi Pascual’s squad tried to come back in the third period with Keith Langford scoring (50-43), but Baskonia responded perfectly with a three-point crescendo (10/16 3FG). Eventually, the lead grew to 18 points (73-55) with Darun Hilliard’s four-point play.
‘Pana’ came back in the final period, as Langford continued his unstoppable run and cut the deficit to just six points (81-75). Janning’s crucial three-pointer and Vildoza’s lay-up won the game for the hosts.
As Perasovic puts it, this victory was of huge importance: “After three losses, we needed a victory like water. For us it was a very important win. When we had an 18-point lead maybe we thought it was over, but this is Panathinaikos, a team with a lot of great players. Langford had an amazing game. But we had the patience to win the game.”
Shengelia had an impressive game as he put up 16 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds, while Poirier flirted with a double-double of 10 points and nine rebounds. As for Panathinaikos, Langford had a great game offensively with a season-high 33 points. His efforts, however, fell short, as he did not have the help needed from his backcourt mate, Nick Calathes (five points, two assists, four turnovers)
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