TRIA EKA AEL BC celebrated its fourth consecutive victory in the ECOMMBX Basket League, defeating Anorthosis on the road 82-74, in the game held on Saturday (November 7) at the Limassol Second Technical School gym, for the 5th round of the league.
Kalia Papadopoulou’s team maintained the lead for most of the game, but had to weather a comeback attempt by Anorthosis, which stayed close on the scoreboard and fought for the win until the final minutes. With this result, AEL improved its record to four wins and one loss, while Anorthosis remains winless after five games.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
AEL-Krasava ENY (first half)
Brendan Bailey led the winners with 25 points, including six three-pointers, and 11 rebounds, while Javonte Johnson added 20 points on four three-pointers. Troy Glover had 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks, while Sincere Carry dished out 8 assists. For Anorthosis, Giorgos Tretyakov was the leading scorer with 16 points, while Charles Henderson and Paris Maragkos each added 10.
The game began with the two teams trading baskets. Anorthosis took an early 2-0 lead, but AEL went ahead 7-4. The home team closed the gap to one point (6-7) before the visitors found their rhythm from the perimeter, with Bailey sinking two consecutive three-pointers to make it 12-6 and 15-6.
AEL maintained its lead thereafter, extending it to 20-13, but Anorthosis fought back and, with three-pointers from Charles and Boykin, cut the deficit to 22-19. A basket by Johnson at the buzzer set the first-quarter score at 24-19.
In the second quarter, AEL took a 31-24 lead and then extended it to 36-26 following a three-pointer by Johnson. Anorthosis, however, stepped up its offense and began to close the gap.
With points from Henderson, Federiko, and Muosa, the home team closed the gap to 39-37 and then tied the score at 39-39. AEL responded with a three-pointer by Johnson to make it 42-39, while Maragkos cut the lead to 42-41. A made free throw by Glover made it 43-41, and the two teams headed to the locker rooms at that score.
Upon returning from the break, Anorthosis continued to press, and with five consecutive points from Tretyakov, they closed the gap to one point (49-48). The Famagusta team stayed within striking distance until the score was 51-50, but AEL managed to pull away again.
With three-pointers by Armakola, Johnson, and Bailey, the visitors took a 60-52 lead and subsequently extended their lead to 12 points (66-54). A three-pointer by Andreas Cheimonas in the final seconds made it 66-57, which was the score at the end of the third quarter.
In the final quarter, Anorthosis tried to get back into contention for the win. With points from Henderson, Cheimonas, and Tretyakov, they narrowed the gap to 66-63 with about eight minutes remaining, reigniting the excitement of the game.
AEL responded with two three-pointers by Bailey, extending the lead to 72-65, and Glover and Johnson subsequently increased the lead to 11 points (76-65).
Anorthosis did not give up and, with a basket by Marangos and a three-pointer by Charles, cut the deficit to 76-70 with about four minutes remaining.
The visitors, however, kept their composure in the final minutes. With baskets by Glover and Bailey, they took an 80-70 lead, while two made free throws by Carry made it 82-72. Muosa cut the lead in the final seconds, but AEL ultimately secured the victory, 82-74.
Quarter scores: 19-24, 41-43, 57-66, 74-82.
Anorthosis (Stylianos Gregoriou): Charles 8 (2), Tretyakov 16 (1), Cheimonas 8 (2), Henderson 10, Federiko 6, Boykin 7 (1), Tombazos, Filippou, Marangos 10 (1), Garcia 3 (1), Muosa 6.
TRIA EKA AEL BC (Kalia Papadopoulou): Clark 3 (1), Johnson 20 (4), Christodoulou 2, Glover 12, Carry 9, Bailey 25 (6), Foullidis, Armakolas 9 (3), Konstantinou, Faye 2, Georgiou.
