Goss leads PAOK in derby win over Olympiacos
GREEK BASKET LEAGUE - ROUND 11
| PAOK | 78 - 71 | Olympiacos |
|---|---|---|
| (29 - 18) (44 - 33) (57 - 41) (78 - 71) |
Phil Goss was the difference maker as the American guard led PAOK to a memorable derby win over Olympiacos in the Greek Basket League on Sunday...
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Olympiacos’ title aspirations have been dealt another blow after the Piraeus giants were beaten 78-71 by rivals PAOK in Thessaloniki on Sunday.
A 24-point night from Phil Goss led PAOK to their first win over Olympiacos in the Greek Basket League since 2013.
Olympiacos, who were without the injured Brian Roberts and Janis Strelnieks, were led by captain Vassilis Spanoulis who notched just 12 points as a stubborn PAOK defense stymied Olympiacos’ offense most of the night.
PAOK took the initiative early on with a 29-point first quarter to take an early 11-point lead in the opening frame.
The Dikefale tou Vorra preserved their double-digit lead by halftime with a stingy defensive performance in the second frame to limit Olympiacos to just 15 points. PAOK’s offense remained efficient, though the home side did notice a slow in their offensive production; however, the Thessaloniki outfit still led 44-33 at halftime.
PAOK’s stern defensive effort continued in the third quarter when Olympiacos’ offense hit rock-bottom. The Erythrolefki were held to just eight points as PAOK went on a 13-8 run in a low-scoring third frame to pull ahead 57-40 heading into the final frame.
Olympiacos’ offense would finally wake-up in the fourth quarter, but it would be a case of too little, too late despite a 30-point effort in the fourth quarter from Yiannis Sfairopoulos’ men.
The win sees PAOK return to winning ways after last weekend’s loss to Lavrio, while Olympiacos are now just 8-3 on the season and have gone just 2-2 in their last four Greek Basket League outings.
Both sides return to European action midweek with PAOK hosting Italian side Capo d’Orlando in the FIBA Basketball Champions League, while Olympiacos travel to Spain to take on Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz in the EuroLeague.
