With Janis Strelix and Akil Mitchell as leaders, AEK pulled off a huge victory, in the empty stadium locked out due to Liosia’s suspension, with a 73-70 over Tofa and making it 1-0 in the series.
The first step towards qualification to ’16’ of the BCL was taken by AEK, who beat Tofa 73-70, who was suspended due to Liosia’s suspension (there was still one game left) and made it 1-0 in the series. After a balanced run, Union excelled in the second half and doubled Dimitris Bravetis.
The second match of the series is scheduled to take place on January 10 in Bursa, while if necessary, the third match will be held at the Ano Liosia Indoor Stadium on the 18th of the same month.
The leaders of the “yellow and black” were Mitchell and Strelix with 16 points each, while Miles had 12 points, who had no luck as he scored just before the end of the match. For the Turks, Gray scored 18 points and Ogurlu had 16 points.
The Turkish team managed to surprise Al-Ittihad from 6.75 (3/3 from triple) at the start of the match, when they were at +9 in the fifth minute (4-13). However, the “yellows” tied up their defense, eliminated the gap and in the 10th minute reduced it to -4 (16-20). In the second half, AEK increased its productivity, took advantage of free kicks (14/18 shots up to 20 minutes) and stayed a stone’s throw from a setback (35-37 per day).
With Strelnieks and Miles reaching the long shot, AEK responded with an 11-3 lead in the first minutes of the third period and in the 25th minute they built a six-point lead (46-40), quietly holding their lead until the end. 30th minute (52-49).Strelnieks was literally on fire, and kept the Union at arm’s length in the fourth quarter as well, making it 69-62 on 37′. Then the “yellow-black” defense came into force, forcing mistakes and hasty shots from the Turks, who from 6:75 onwards tried in vain to transfer the match to extra time.
Quadrants: 16-20, 35-37, 52-49, 73-70
AEK (Kantzouris): Flionis 9 (3/3 in doubles, 1/2 in triples, 3 rebounds, 4 assists), Fraser 2 (3 rebounds, 5 assists), Madsen 4, Mitchell 16 (6/12 in Double hits, 4/6 shots, 7 rebounds, 3 assists), Strelnieks 16 (4/6 3 shots, 4/4 shots, 5 assists), Koniaris, McGriff 9 (1 3-pointer, 6/6 shots) Miles 12 (2/6 3 shots, 6/7 shots, 5 rebounds), Papadakis, Petropoulos, Williams (0/6 shots), Xanthopoulos 5 (1 treble, 2 rebounds, 3 assists).
Tofas (receiver): Braimo 3, Ennis 10 (2), Gray 18 (2 4/8 points, 3/5 3 points, 1/2 shot, 5 assists, 7 turnovers), Toure 9 (2 3/4) – points, 3/4 shots, 10 rebounds), Ugyurlu 16 (3/6 3-headers, 3/4 3 points, 1/2 shots, 4 rebounds, 3 assists), Buyuktuncel 2, Milaknis 3 (1) Tanisan 7 (1), Thompson 2.
