By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
After 13 lead changes, AEK made a late run to escape with the 81-71 victory against Galatasaray Nef in Sinan Erdem Dome Tuesday.
Plenty of solid performances for the Queen including Akil Mitchell posting a 19-point, 13-redound double-double in Basketball Champions League Round of 16 Gameday 2. Shortlisted for BCL January MVP, the Virginia product eventually missed the award but earned a head start for the February distinction leading his side with 15 points in the second half.
Dimitris Flionis with 11 points set a new personal best for the 2022-23 season, while also nearing a triple-double tallying ten rebounds and nine assists. Sinking four of AEK’s 12 triples, Janis Strelnieks poured 18 points and tucked in a couple of free throws for breathing space after the lead was cut to four points in the last minute of the fourth period. Alexander Madsen was ruled out alongside Dimitris Mavroeidis and Antonis Koniaris.
Guided by Ilias Kantzouris, the visitors matched the Lions at 1-1 in Group K, three days after edging out Peristeri bwin to improve to 9-5 in Greece’s Basket League. The team effort in pulling down 49 rebounds versus 33 of the hosts and limiting Fatts Russell were additional keys to success in Istanbul, Turkey.
Russell, 24, was held to 3/12 field goals in a six-point showing. Dylan Ennis recorded a team-high 18 points and Dusan Ristic posted a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double in the losing effort. Mahir Agva was a healthy scratch for the team coached by Andreas Pistiolis.
Postgame press conference
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League