AEK and Peristeri secure Basketball Champions League qualification
AEK and Peristeri both secured qualification to the next stage of the Basketball Champions League, but PAOK conceded yet another defeat.
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VECHTA 70-81 AEK (GROUP B)
The Kitrinomavri needed this win. Before this match, AEK had lost their last three successive games in the Basketball Champions League, but they got back to winning ways with a 81-70 victory in Germany against Vechta. This win has also secured their qualification to the Last 16.
Having come flying out of the blocks, AEK immediately made a statement of their intentions, winning the opening period 29-13 and the second 22-18. In the third frame. Vechta did reduce the deficit by two points, but the Enosis weren’t to be denied as they saw the game out in the fourth. AEK are in second place of Group B with eight wins and five losses.
Veteran Nikos Zisis scored 12 points, grabbed three rebounds and made three assists.
AEK will play against Anwil in Athens in their next game. Vechta travel to San Pablo Burgos.
PERISTERI 78-75 BROSE BAMBERG (GROUP C)
Peristeri, in their debut campaign in the Basketball Champions League, sealed qualification to the next round with a dramatic three-point triumph over Brose Bamberg in Greece.
Until the last minute of play, Bamberg did hold a slender advantage, but Peristeri snatched a decisive victory in Group C as Steven Gray converted a jump shot before Kingsley Moses converted one of two vital free-throws.
Peristeri occupy fourth place of the group with eight victories and five defeats.
Gray (22 points), Yanick Moreira (20 points) and Moses (14 points) all impressed for Peristeri.
Next week, Peristeri travel to Nymburk, while Bamberg host Tenerife.
ZARAGOZA 86-76 PAOK (GROUP D)
The misery continues for PAOK. Bottom of Group D, the Dikefalos tou Vorra conceded another defeat this week, as Zaragoza claimed a confident 10-point triumph in Spain to enhance their status of group leaders.
In 13 matches, Zaragoza have gained nine wins, while PAOK have only tallied four victories.
Zaragoza won the third quarter by six points to put themselves firmly in the box seat.
Zisis Sarikopoulos (14 points), Bobby Brown (14 points) and Adam Smith (11 points) all reached double figures in terms of scoring for PAOK, while M. J. Rhett claimed 12 rebounds.
PAOK’s next European game will take place against Bonn at home. Zaragoza, for their part, will travel to Brindisi.
PROMITHEAS WIN IN EUROCUP
Over in the EuroCup, Promitheas kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals, as they earned a hugely important 70-52 triumph at Venezia in Group F. The Patras outfit currently occupy first position of the group with two wins and two defeats in four games.
Loukas Mavrokefalidis caught the eye with 28 points and 13 rebounds as he achieved a double-double.
In their next match in the tournament, Promitheas will play against Brescia at home.
