Greek Cup wins for AEK and Peristeri; PAOK out
Both AEK and Peristeri BC progressed to the semi-final stage of the 2019/2020 Greek Cup, while PAOK suffered a disappointing defeat to Diagoras Driopideon.
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DIAGORAS DRIOPIDEON 81-66 PAOK
The underwhelming season for PAOK continues. Diagoras had beaten Basket League clubs Panionios and Larisa in previous rounds, but the Dikefalos tou Vorra were still favourites to progress. Diagoras are currently playing their basketball in the second tier.
Diagoras were in pole position to qualify after the first half as they won the opening two quarters by a combined score of 37-27. In the third, PAOK did threaten a comeback as they won it by three points, but Diagoras saw the match out in the fourth quarter to seal a famous victory.
AEK 71-61 RETHYMNO CRETAN KINGS
Not long ago, AEK suffered a shock Basket League defeat to Rethymno on the road, but the Kitrinomavri made their superiority count on Saturday as they earned a 71-61 victory at the OAKA Indoor Hall.
Nethertheless, Rethymno had initially made the better start in Athens, outscoring AEK by one point in the first quarter. AEK improved in the second to gain a slender 37-36 advantage.
AEK were in full control after they won the third quarter by eight points. Rethymno never waved the white flag as they only lost the fourth period by the single point, but AEK kept them at bay and reached the semi-finals of the competition which they won in 2018.
The impressive Keith Langford tallied 23 points, four assists and three rebounds for AEK.
PERISTERI 57-51 IFAISTOS LIMNOU
Peristeri are back to winning ways. The suburb club had lost their last three games across all competitions, but they showed their quality enough times against Ifaistos Limnou to stay alive in the Greek Cup.
Ifaistos Limnou made a great start as they won the first quarter 22-14. However, Peristeri responded in the following two periods, winning them 13-7 and 19-8 respectively. Ifaistos Limnou did reduce the deficit to six points in the fourth frame, but Peristeri held on.
