Petrolina AEK celebrated its fourth victory in as many games in the ECOMMBX Basket League, defeating ETHA Engomi 87-61, in the game held on Saturday (October 31) at the Kition Sports Center for the league’s fourth round.
Christos Leivadiotis’s team set the pace early on, built a double-digit lead in the first quarter, and maintained control until the end, securing a comfortable victory. With this result, AEK remained undefeated, while ETHA suffered its second loss of the season.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The top scorer for the winners was Jayveous McKinnis with 14 points, while Ioannis Giannaras and Isaiah Mucius each added 10. AEK had a total of 12 different scorers, with players coming off the bench contributing 39 points. For ETHA, Kordell Brown scored 12 points and Jony Mielke added 11.
The game began with AEK coming out strong and taking a 9-2 lead, thanks to key offensive contributions from Giannaras and McKinnis. The home team maintained control and extended the lead to 13-4, with ETHA struggling to find its rhythm on offense.
A three-pointer by Myles Tate gave AEK a 19-6 lead, and the lead subsequently grew to 19 points (27-8) following a three-pointer by Isaiah Mucius. ETHA cut the deficit with a basket by Bruce Saintilus, and the first quarter ended at 27-10.
In the second quarter, the Larnaca team continued at the same pace. A three-pointer by Giorgos Varsos extended the lead to 19 points (32-13), and the home team increased their lead to 36-13.
ETHA tried to mount a comeback, but AEK maintained its offensive efficiency. A three-pointer by Mucius put them ahead 41-16, extending the lead to 25 points. The visitors then cut into the lead, and with a three-pointer by Mielke at the buzzer to end the first half, the score stood at 44-26.
After returning from the locker room, Petrolina AEK stepped up its performance even further. McKinnis made key plays near the basket, while the home team capitalized on their strong defense to gradually extend their lead.
AEK took a 54-32 lead and then a 60-34 lead, continuing to maintain complete control of the game. With baskets by Hunt and Durham, the lead reached 34 points (70-36), while a three-pointer by Panagiotis Markos made it 74-38. The third quarter ended with AEK leading 74-40.
In the final quarter, the home team extended the lead to 36 points (76-40), with their coach giving playing time to all available players. ETHA improved its offensive performance and, with a 21-13 run in the fourth quarter, narrowed the gap.
Petrolina AEK easily maintained its lead and secured the victory 87-61, continuing its undefeated run in this year’s championship.
Scores by quarter: 27-10, 44-26, 74-40, 87-61.
Petrolina AEK (Christos Leivadiotis): Pavlidis 8 (1), Giannaras 10 (1), Durham 8, Tate 8 (1), McKinnis 14, Diggs 2, Mucius 10 (2), Varsos 7 (1), Doklis 3 (1), Savva 6, Markou 3 (1), Hunt 8.
ETHA Engomi (Michalis Arvanitis): Brown 12, Mielke 11 (3), Saintilus 10, Seales 10, Neophytou 3, Herakleous, Kelasidis, Christodoulidis 2, Papadopoulos 5 (1), Mannaris, Linoxylakis 6, Androulidakis 2.
View the game statistics here.
