A… competitive first half and a fascinating second led Panathinaikos to its road win versus Peristeri by final score 76-41 in Basket League OPAP game 8.
Panathinaikos had a hard time in trying to break away in the score during the first half of the clash. Although having first say on the floor, it was unable to form and maintain a safety edge. It led fast in the encounter (2-7, 1’30’’) but the home-team exploited anything offered to it, was competitive and managed to close the gap every time Panathinaikos seemed to establish a pace. 2-7 (1’30’’)became 6-7 (3’30’’), 8-11 (6’10’’) became 10-11 (8’), only for the quarter to end 12-18. Peristeri picked up the trail once more, this time down to 2 points (18-20, 12’10’’), but the Greens seemed to get their groove and maintain it for a greater time span. Most important element was defense, but also Mike Bramos’productiveness in offense, player to aid his team in getting up by 7 (18-25, 14’25’’),then to +8 (22-30, 16’40’’) and slightly prior to game going into recess to a 12 point cushion (25-37), Diamantidis this time to drill his first trifecta in the clash.
Panathinaikos was the absolute dominator in third quarter. Partial 26-4 his ample proof of the game image during this period of time. The Greens dominated from the very first minute and left no room for Peristeri counteraction. The gap started to expand…It got to 21 points (27-48, 24’36’’), then to 30 (27-57, 27’) and then some to 34 (29-63) at the third quarter buzzer. The clover was connected to the basket, Charis Giannopoulos firing away to a +40 advantage (31-71, 34’25’’). All that was to play out on court was time since the winner had already been judged. Final score 41-76 sealed the deal for Panathinaikos across from Perister.
Referees: Somos, Afentoulidis, Bikas
Quarters: 12-18, 25-37, 29-63, 41-76
Peristeri (Koustenis): Papantoniou 11, Kompodietas 5, Thorn 4, Kanonidis 9, Mantzaris 4, Williams 6, Hines, Melissaratos, Psaropoulos 2, Lakkas, Zoumpos, Papagiannis
Panathinaikos (Pedoulakis): Bramos 14, Panko 2, Maciulis 11, Ukic 9, Lasme 5 (9rbs), Tsartsaris 2, Diamantidis 10 (6as), Kitchen 8, Banks 6, Xanthopoulos, Giannopoulos 8, Skordilis 1
*Kostas Tsartsaris was only a couple of points shy of flying past Walter Berry to snatch 11th place in the list of HEBA League all-time top scorers. Points he scored in first quarter and climbed one place higher.
*Dimitris Diamantidis became 7thHEBA League all-time rebounder with his fourth board collected during the third quarter of the clash.
*Charis Giannopoulos with the pair of rebounds gathered during the encounter reached 200 in his HEBA League career.
*Sofoklis Schortsanitis remained sidelined for yet another encounter, facing an injury in the sole of his foot, following a personal program.
*Panathinaikos BC would like to thank Peristeri BC for its hospitality.
