Aris lost 87-92 to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the first game of the “Neophytos Chandriotis” tournament being held in Cyprus.
The Israelis got off to a better start and managed to build a significant lead in the first half, peaking at +15, capitalizing on their excellent shooting from beyond the 6.75-meter line. As the game progressed, the “Yellows” improved their defense, led by Robinson-Earl and Dimitrievich, as well as Vasilis Toliopoulos’s sound decision-making, took the lead for the first time midway through the third quarter.
From that point on, the game was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to pull away on the scoreboard, however, Maccabi, drawing on its experience and composure, controlled the final stretch of the game and secured the victory.
Aris’s standout players were Robinson-Earl and Dimitrievic, who each scored 15 points, while the American recorded a double-double, grabbing 15 rebounds as well. On the winning side, he had 26 points and six rebounds.
Vassilis Spanoulis’s team will next face Red Star on Sunday (September 13, 3:45 p.m.).
The quarter scores: 15-21, 22-29, 67-71, 87-92.
