Petrolina AEK got off to the best possible start in Group 5 of the FIBA Europe Cup, defeating the German team Fitness First Würzburg Baskets 73-65 at “Kition” and celebrated a major European victory.
The victory takes on even greater historical significance, as it is only Petrolina AEK’s second win against a German team in European competitions. The Larnaca team showed character against a strong opponent and, despite trailing in the third quarter, they put together an outstanding final quarter to earn a well-deserved victory.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The home team got off to a strong start and took control early on. Petrolina AEK led 17-8 about halfway through the first quarter and ended the quarter up 22-17.
Fitness First Würzburg Baskets fought back in the second quarter and gradually began to close the gap. The Germans closed the gap to 28-27 and then completely evened out the match, with the first half ending in a 40-40 tie.
In the third quarter, the visitors managed to take the lead. From 40-40, Fitness First Würzburg Baskets went up 43-40 and later 51-45, but Petrolina AEK stayed close. With baskets by Miles Tate and Javious McKinnis, the yellow-and-greens made a comeback, but the Germans closed out the third quarter leading 59-55.
The final quarter, however, belonged entirely to Christoforos Leivadiotis’s team. Fitness First Würzburg Baskets led 61-55, but Petrolina AEK drastically stepped up the intensity of their defense and launched their counterattack. Tate cut the lead, Duram brought his team within striking distance with free throws, and shortly afterward the game was tied at 61-61.
Tate gave Petrolina AEK the lead at 63-61, and after the score was tied at 63-63, the home team went on a decisive run. Tate made it 65-63 and, with a three-pointer with 2:43 left, extended the lead to 67-63. AEK’s defense prevented the Germans from finding answers, and the lead grew to seven points, 70-63, before Duram’s free throws essentially sealed the big win.
It is noteworthy that AEK Petrolina allowed just six points in the entire fourth quarter, which they won 18-6, turning the 55-59 score at the 30-minute mark into the final 73-65.
The standout performer was Miles Tate with 24 points, four rebounds, and four steals. Anthony Durham added 16 points and six rebounds, Javious McKinnis had 13 points and four rebounds, while Isaiah Musius finished the game with 10 points and eight rebounds. Jesse Hunt also made a valuable contribution, with eight points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
For Fitness First Würzburg Baskets, Sam Griffin was the leading scorer with 13 points, while Charles Thompson had six points and 12 rebounds.
Quarter scores: 22-17, 40-40, 55-59, 73-65.
Petrolina AEK (Christos Leivadiotis): Musius 10 (1), Pavlidis 2, Varsos 0, Durham 16, Tate 24 (3), Markou 0, McKinney 13, Hunt 8.
Fitness First Würzburg Baskets (Sasa Filipovski): Colbert 5 (1), Herzog 3 (1), Jones 7 (1), Saffer 7, Griffin 13 (3), Dai 8 (2), Tisler 6, Wisart 2, Petric 8 (1), Thompson 6.
