APOEL and AEL in the ECOMMBX Basket League opener.
The first round of the first phase of this year’s ECOMMBX Basket League Championship concluded with a thrilling matchup.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The game, held at Lefkotheo between APOEL and TRIA EKA AEL, ended with an 80-73 victory for the Nicosia team.
At halftime, APOEL led 43–42, and while the game was quite back-and-forth, in the final moments, the home team held on to the lead until the end, securing their first victory of the season.
Gaffney led the winners with 24 points (29 efficiency points).
The opening minutes unfolded at a fast pace with the lead changing hands frequently, and at the 6-minute mark, APOEL was ahead 14–13.
However, in the final 4 minutes of the first quarter, AEL found its rhythm and shot with greater accuracy.
As a result, the visitors pulled ahead 25-19, and the first quarter ended with that score.
The pace was slower in the second quarter compared to the first.
AEL maintained a steady lead, thanks mainly to Johnson’s productivity, with their lead never falling below 4 points.
However, shortly after the 17-minute mark, the margin narrowed to one point (39-38) as Gaffney provided several offensive solutions for APOEL.
At the 18-minute mark, the home team took the lead 42-39 following a 10-0 run, and by halftime, APOEL led 43-42.
Scoring was sparse for both teams early in the third quarter, but with even the few points scored by each side, the lead kept changing hands.
At the 25-minute mark, AEL took a 51–48 lead, and at the 27-minute mark, their lead grew to +6 when they led 57–51; however, just before the 30-minute mark, the home team cut the deficit to 59-57, and the third quarter ended with that score.
Thus, the fourth quarter was anticipated with considerable interest.
Shortly after the 32-minute mark, APOEL—thanks mainly to Funderburg—took a 64-60 lead, and a little later the home team extended their lead to +10 when they led 73-63.
The clock was nearing the 36-minute mark.
However, with a 7-0 run, AEL cut the deficit to 73-70, but shortly after, APOEL took a 76-70 lead, and Clark (AEL) fouled out.
At 39:36, Simitzis scored to make it 78-73 for APOEL, which was close to victory and ultimately won with a final score of 80-73.
Quarter scores: 19-25, 43-42, 57-59, 80-73.
APOEL (Nikolas Papadopoulos): Gaffney 24, Simitzis 4, Sherman 17 (1), Funderburg 12, Mantovanis 2, Blackmon 17 (4), Sofokleous, Aggeli 1, Papamichail 3 (1).
TRIAEKA AEL (Kalia Papadopoulou): Clark 9, Bailey 6 (2), Johnson 26 (3), Faye, Carry 9 (1), Foullidis, Armakolas 9 (3), Glover 10, Georgiou 4.
