By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
AEK got a solid advantage over Strasbourg in the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals after grabbing a 78 – 69 win Athens in the first-leg game, in front of thousands of fans that nearly packed “OAKA” arena.
Since the winner of the series is decided according to the aggregate score in the two matches, Strasbourg now needs a victory of at least double figures in order to advance.
The veterans of AEK made a big difference in the game, particularly down the stretch. Vassilis Xanthopoulos’ playmaking (2 points, 4 rebounds), savvy guidance and defense along with Panagiotis Vassilopoulos’ (9 points, 7 rebounds) and captain Dusan Sakota’s 3-point (12 points, 7 rebounds) shooting helped the Greek side through a 0 – 10 run that put them ahead 70 – 64 in the mid of the fourth period.
Not only did the hosts preserved a lead, but also increased the margin to double-digit numbers. Strasbourg managed to cut it to nine with a free throw by Dee Bost in the final seconds.
Thanks to Zack Wright who scored 10 out of his 15 points (he also had 7 rebounds plus 6 assists), in the third period, the French team had managed to even take 50 – 55 lead in that quarter, after returning from a 13-point deficit, 28 – 15 they fell back with during the second period. It was a stretch with a very fast-paced rhythm that greatly benefitted Strasbourg.
Louis Labeyrie (15 points) had previously managed to keep Strasbourg in the game in a period where AEK looked in total control.
Kevin Punter led AEK’s scorers with 15.