Keravnos emerged victorious in the derby held in Lefkotheo for Matchday 5 of the first phase of the ECOMMBX Basket League, with the final score 80-73.
It was a thrilling match, and at halftime, the two teams were tied at 40-40.
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Averof at Lefkotheo for APOEL’s match against Keravnos (PHOTO)
Olympiacos’s match against PAOK
At the 35-minute mark, the score was 67-66 in favor of Keravnos, which ultimately secured the victory, keeping them undefeated after five games.
Crockett led the winners with 24 points and 32 efficiency points.
APOEL got off to a strong start, significantly limiting Keravnos’ offensive efforts and taking a 16-6 lead at the 7-minute mark.
Keravnos had to respond immediately.
Finding solutions from the perimeter, they cut the lead to 20–12 shortly after the 8-minute mark, and by the end of the first quarter, they had narrowed the gap even further—specifically, to a 4-point deficit, as APOEL led 21-17 at the 10-minute mark.
At the start of the second quarter, Keravnos narrowed the gap to 21–19, and just before the 14-minute mark, they cut the deficit again (27–25).
When the clock hit the 16-minute mark, Keravnos took the lead at 33-31 and maintained a slight advantage in the minutes that followed, as the pace picked up again.
At halftime, the two teams were tied at 40-40.
The early stages of the third quarter saw the lead change hands repeatedly, and at the 25-minute mark, Keravnos was ahead 52-51.
Everything pointed to a nail-biting finish.
However, shortly afterward, Keravnos took a 59-51 lead, thanks mainly to Crockett’s points.
At the 29-minute mark, Keravnos led 64-51, and APOEL was looking to mount a comeback, but at the 30-minute mark, that was the score.
At the start of the fourth quarter, APOEL opened with a 5-0 run, cutting the deficit to 64-56, while at the 35-minute mark, the home team’s run extended to 12-3, narrowing the gap to 6 points (67-63).
Shortly after the 35-minute mark, the Blue-and-Yellows cut the deficit to a single point, bringing the score to 67-66, and the tension was now at a fever pitch.
However, at the 38-minute mark, Keravnos found solutions on offense and took a 73-68 lead.
With Givance leading the way in the final moments, Keravnos held on to the lead to ultimately secure an 80-73 victory.
Quarter scores: 21-17, 40-40, 51-64, 73-80.
APOEL (N. Papadopoulos): Gaffney 17 (1), Simitzis 5 (1), Sherman 11 (2), Skinner 12 (2), Funderburg 13, Blackmon 15 (1), Papamichail, Mantovanis.
Keravnos (V. Kounas): Givance 12 (1), Pasialis 4, Michael 10, Flowers 17 (3), Allen 13 (1), Stylianou, Koumis, Tigkas, Crockett 24 (2), Gresham.
