By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The second round of Eurocup’s Last 32 started with two games on Tuesday night, as Armani Milano and PAOK decimated Aris Thessaloniki and Limoges, respectively.
In Thessaloniki, a 19-8 run in the third quarter let PAOK (1-1) beat Limoges (1-1) 88-75 at home. For the winners, Sofoklis Schortsanitis had 19 points, on 8 for 10 from the field, with four more players scoring in double figures. For the losing squad, Ali Traore and Bo McCalebb scored 18 and 16 points, respectively.
In the beginning, no team could take a significant advantage (6-7, 11-9), as the first quarter ended with the Greeks in front by five (24-19). Later, PAOK enhanced its overall performance and earned a double-digit advantage at the end of the first half (47-36).
In the second half, the French team went on a 15-7 run and cut the deficit to just three points (54-51), however the hosts responded immediately and brought their lead back to double digits at the end of the third quarter (73-59), behind a 19-8 of their own. In the last quarter, nothing changed significantly, as the visitors were unable to make a come-back and, consequently, PAOK claimed a crucial victory.
In the other match of the night, Armani Milano (1-1) destroyed Aris Thessaloniki (1-1) 95-54 at home, behind an amazing 20-0 run in the second quarter. For the winners, six players scored in double figures, with Alessandro Gentile having 13 points. For the losing squad, Dominic Waters scored 12 points.
Early in the game, both teams made a good start (11-11), however the Italians quickly took control of the game and ended the first quarter in front by seven (24-17), behind a 13-6 run. Later, the hosts simply exploded. Executing perfectly on both ends of the floor, they outscored their opponents 33-10, closed the first half with a 30-point advantage (57-27) and never looked back.
In the second half, nothing changed significantly, as the visitors were unable to turn things upside down in the match (68-32), and the Italians earned a big home win.