Panathinaikos BC AKTOR was defeated on the road by Aris Betsson 102-95 after overtime, in a matchup for Round 17 of the EuroLeague regular season. Top scorer for the Greens was T.J. Shorts with 16 points.

The game started in balanced fashion, with both teams tied at 7-7 in the opening minutes. The hosts moved slightly ahead at 14-10, but Panathinaikos BC AKTOR responded to level the score at 14-14 in the 7th minute, before taking a 17-19 lead one minute later. The first quarter ended with the Greens in front, 22-23.

The Greens stretched the margin to +8 (22-30) in the 12th minute, maintaining a similar advantage at 35-28 in the 14th minute. Aris Betsson closed the gap to 34-35 in the 16th minute and then went ahead 37-35 a minute later, with the first half eventually ending all square at 42-42.

Panathinaikos BC AKTOR regained the lead at 44-48 in the 22nd minute, but the Thessaloniki side answered with a 15-2 run to move in front 59-50 in the 26th minute. The Greens trimmed the deficit to 61-56 in the 29th minute, while the third quarter concluded at 63-56.

Aris Betsson remained in control at 68-59 in the 33rd minute, but Panathinaikos BC AKTOR responded with a 7-1 run to make it 69-66 in the 35th minute. The hosts answered again, extending their lead to 81-66 in the 36th minute. Panathinaikos BC AKTOR cut it to 83-76 in the 38th minute and dramatically tied the game at 87-87 at the buzzer. In the ensuing overtime, the home side prevailed, sealing the 102-95 victory.

Quarters: 22-23, 42-42, 63-56, 87-87, 102-95.

Aris Betsson (Milisic): Mitrou-Long 24 (4), Chatzilamprou, Jones 16 (2), Noua 19, Tsairelis, Forrester 1, Poulianitis 2, Bohoridis 6 (1), Harrell 9 (1), Andjusic 11 (1), Antetokounmpo 11, Kulboka 3 (1).

Panathinaikos BC AKTOR (Ataman): Shorts 16, Kalaitzakis, Osman 15 (2), Holmes 6, Sloukas 3 (1), Rogkavopoulos 10 (2), Samodurov 3, Grant 15 (1), Toliopoulos 6 (2), Hernangomez 16 (3), Mitoglou 2, Yurtseven 3.

Serelis: “We must keep our heads down and work”

Christos Serelis, assistant coach to Ergin Ataman at Panathinaikos BC AKTOR, spoke at the Press Conference following the away game against Aris Betsson:

“It is a black week for Greece due to the tragic events that have taken place. Our condolences go out to all the families of the victims. It is also a dark anniversary for Aris and for sports as a whole (referring to the unjust loss of Alkis). We must teach our children to love all teams and ensure that there are no criminal acts.

As for the game, we were not focused in the second half and we allowed Aris to believe and eventually win. The lack of concentration was evident in the many missed free throws; we had a very poor percentage, which is very unusual for us. We need to keep our heads down. We have a difficult schedule ahead of us, nothing has been decided yet, and we must fight.”