By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Lasting 50 minutes in Gameday 2 of the Basketball Champions League Play-In series, PAOK mateco edging out Tofas set up a third meeting between the clubs.
The visitors earned the win, 88-87, after two extra periods in Tofas Arena on Tuesday.
Icelandic import Elvar Mar Fridriksson spread seven of his team-high 18 points across the two overtimes and dished out a game-high eight assists, helping his side tie the best-of-three series at 1-1. Jamuni McNeace and Andrew Harrison added 17 points each. Connecting five three-pointers, Nikos Tsiakmas put in 15 points, a new personal best in the 2023-24 season. Injured Justin Alston was sidelined.
For the hosts, failing to convert the Game 1 triumph to a ticket to the next stage, former Auburn standout Austin Wiley posted a 23-point, 16-rebound double-double before fouling out in Game 2. Cassius Winston ended up with 22 points and Marcus Denmon had 20 points in a short rotation for head coach Orhun Ene. Experienced forward Omar Prewitt remained on the injury list.
Carrying six losses over the last seven games in all competitions, the team coached by Fotis Takianos bounced back in style, despite mishandling a 12-point lead during the last ten minutes of regulation in Bursa. Getting the job done returns the series to Thessaloniki with Game 3 next Tuesday to decide which team will enter Group I of the Round of 16. Unicaja and SIG Strasbourg shape the early entries.
Postgame press conference
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League