Panionios was the winner of the game versus Panathinaikos at the Nea Smyrni indoor arena, final score 63-56, in BasketLeague OPAP Game 22.
Panathinaikos made the best possible start, getting a 0-11 5’45’’ minute game score to prove it. Great defense across from a Panionios getting bad shooting range, team to make its first field goal in the eve, 2’15’’ prior to first quarter buzzer, Payne to make a basket from beyond the arc. The Greens however did not allow the home team to enforce its pace, upping the ante to a 15 point gap (9-24, 14’36’’), Stephane Lasme to pull a notorious behind the back dunk. At this point the hosts seemed to snap out of it, pace themselves, performing behind greater confidence, to pick up the trail initially praise to three point shots from the pair Jankovic and Keys, Panionios within 7 points of its opponent (19-26, 19’), only for Roko Leni Ukic to make a basket once more to beat the buzzer, 19-28 half time score.
The tables were turned in the third quarter. Panionios stepped out on court more aggressively, played better in backcourt, Panathinaikos came up unlucky to the basket, result being 9-24 (14’36’’) to shift to 33-33 (26’10’’) and slightly later, home team to get the lead for the first time on the floor (37-36, 27’20’’) behind Chris Booker. The Greens answered back with a partial 10-2 to create a 7 point cushion (39-46, 30’30’’), Jonas Maciulis to make back-to-back three point shots. But still the hosts input an immediate response as they exploited Panathinaikos’ every mistake (13 at 32’), got to tie (46-46, 32’14’’), fly ahead (49-48, 33’35’’) thanks to a Marios Batis three and then lead by three (51-48, 34’27’’). At this point and essentially right down to the very end of the encounter, the clover was unable to regain the lead getting down to final 63-56.
Referees: Anastopoulos, Poursanidis G, Tarenidis
Quarters: 7-17, 19-28, 39-43, 63-56
Panionios (Sferopooulos): Bogris 2, Payne 6, Athineou 3, Keys 3, Milbourne 7, Athanassoulas, Batis 5, Jankovic 17, Kavvadas, Pappas 8, Agravanis, Booker 12
Panathinaikos (Pedoulakis): Schortsanitis, Bramos 12, Maciulis 15, Ukic 5, Lasme 13 (8rb), Tsartsaris 2, Diamantidis 4 (6as, 9t), Gist 2, Banks, Xanthopoulos 3
