By Eurohoops team/info@eurohoops.net
A big three-pointer by Nick Calathes, 40 seconds before the end of the game, gave Panathinaikos a crucial win against Karsiyaka on the road (66-69), in the Greens’ effort to qualify to the next round. This was the third win for the visitors (3-4), whereas the hosts suffered their fifth defeat (2-5).
For the winners, James Feldeine was tremendous with 17 points and seven rebounds, with three more players being in double digits. On the other hand, Colton Iverson had 14 points and six rebounds for the losing squad, as Can Altintig added 12.
Panathinaikos made a great start to the game and quickly earned a significant advantage (0-8, 5-16), executing very well on both ends of the floor. The situation continued to be the same, as Karsiyaka’s players were missing many field goals and the first quarter ended with the Greens in front by 12 (9-21). Later, both teams tried to play better defence, while they were mediocre offensively and as a result, things didn’t change much in the second quarter, with Sasa Djordjevic’s team retaining its double-digit advantage at the end of the first half (23-36).
In the second half, Karsiyaka tried to come back and cut the deficit to seven points (34-41), with an 11-5 run, but the Greek team quickly brought the lead back to double digits (35-46). The Turks tried to respond again and were down by six (41-47), however Antonis Fotsis beat the buzzer and his three-point shot gave the Greens a nine-point lead, after 30 minutes in the game (41-50).
Karsiyaka started the fourth quarter with a 12-7 run and cut the deficit to four points (53-57), with five minutes to go. Since then, it was a close derby between the two teams, with Altintig and James Gist hitting crucial three-pointers (58-60), but it was a three-point shot by Justin Carter, which led Karsiyaka tie the game with two minutes to go (64-64).
But, a three-point shot by Calathes, 40 seconds before the end of the game, was enough for Panathinaikos to claim a much-needed victory, which let the Greens improve their chances to qualify to the next round, whereas the Turks are on the brink of elimination.