Kavala might have put up quite a resistance to its host during the first half, but when at last the greens managed to pace themselves, the visitor was unable to stop them. The clover snatched the win by 100-72 at OAKA indoor stadium in views of day 5 in the HEBA league.
A +13 cushion which Panathinaikos managed rapidly to create (19-6, 6’30’’), was a distance the greens were unable to maintain throughout the duration of the clash. Zeljko Obradovic made switches, watching closely as the gap became smaller and smaller. Kavala crept up to a 5 point shadow (23-18, 9’30’’). The hosts reached a double digit lead once more (28-18, 10’40’’), but the visitor under no circumstances had yet decided to through in the white towel, actually gaining all they could out of their every effort on the floor. Dimitris Priftis saw his players tie (32-32, 14’10’’) and flew ahead for the first time in the clash at 14’50’’ (33-34), only stepping away by 2 slightly later (36-38, 16’10’’). Batiste and Sato joined forces all the way up to 41-38 (17’45’’), Panathinaikos heading towards the locker rooms for the break behind a 6-0 run that formed score 41-40 (18’20’’) into 47-40, half time score.
The greens returned to the court… with a vengeance. Mounted +11 (51-40, 21’05’’), Drew Nicholas making his shot “all-day”, getting to the bucket thrice from beyond the arc to flex score to 62-48 (25’50’’), Panathinaikos picking up the pace and getting up by 16 (29’15’’), third quarter resting at 67-53. +21 was marked for the first time off an attempt by Stratos Perperoglou (64-53, 31’45’’), the aforementioned galloping away on the fast break to lead to +23 (76-53, 31’45’’). Edge for the clover peaked at 39’ when score stood at 98-68, the ante upped to +30, only for curtains to fall in the game in a centurion atmosphere, final score 100-72 sealed by a tip-in by Ian Vougioukas.
Referees: Afentoulidis, Bitis, Anastopoulos
Quarters: 26-18, 47-40, 67-53, 100-72
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Tepic 2, Perperoglou 15, Batiste 4, Fotsis 2, Sato 14, Nicholas 9, Tsartsaris 9, Diamantidis 5, Vougioukas 16, Calathes 13, Kaimakoglou 11
Kavala (Priftis): Mcintosh 15, Palacio 16, Kostov 4, Huff, Stafanidis 11, Gelios, Simmons 3, Georgakis 8, Jorovic 2, Karapostolou 5, Angelopoulos 8
