Beat both AEK and injuries
Playing without Sasha Vezenkov, Luca Vildoza, Thomas Walkup and Moustapha Fall, Olympiacos bested AEK 89-70 for the 16th day of the Bakset League.
Our team made a very lukewarm beginning to the game vs AEK. After the 5-2 in the first minute, following a 3-pointer by Tyler Dorsey, our team lost touch with scoring, receiving an 11-0 partial by AEK, that took advantage of sub-standard defensive game of our team (5-15, 5'). A bucket and a free throw by Mitrou-Long put an end to the 'yellow & black' streak, with the guests though continuing to control the game (12-24, 9'). The quarter ended with a 3-pointer by Alec Peters and good defensive play that offered scoring in the fast-break, making the score 17-24. The game remained unchanged in the first two minutes of the second quartr, with or team receiving a partial 6-0 (17-31, 12'), resulting from the inefficiency of our defense. However, the team had a quick response with a 7-0 of its own and Alec Peters in the lead (24-31, 14'), while at the same time, we upped the intensity levels of our defense. With more concentration on that end and clearer thinking when attacking, the hosts gained control of the game. They initially closed in with Nigel Williams-Goss and Nikola Milutinov leading the scoring effort (36-39, 18') and then they got to lead, running a partial 15-4 in the last five minutes of the first half, for the 44-39 score that marked the end of the first 20 minutes.
In the third quarter, our team continued controlling the game, putting pressure on the defensive end and exhibiting patience in offense. They also got a double-digit lead (54-44, 23'), with Alec Peters and Williams-Goss leading the charge. AEK remained competitive, closing in to three points (57-54), with Tyler Dorsey adn Williams-Goss scoring to make the difference 7p. for our team (63-56, 28') and the quarter ending at 65-60. The last quartr began with an 8-0 run for our team (73-60, 34'), that put the foundations for the win. Two threes, by Larentzakis and Mitrou-Long upped the margin to 17p. (79-62, 36'), with AEK not being able to continue fighting the game. A 3-pointer by captain Kostas Papanikoalou made the score 84-64 (37'), while with 1:07'' on the clock, Giorgos Bourneles and Stefanos Spartalis (i.e. juniors that participate the roster) entered the game, with the latter scoring following an assist by Larentzakis to mark the final 89-70.
The quarters: 17-24, 44-39, 65-60, 89-70.
