Panathinaikos BC AKTOR secured an 84-68 away win over Panionios Cosmorama Travel in a game for Round 22 of the Stoiximan GBL. T.J. Shorts led the Greens in scoring with 11 points.

The hosts got off to the better start, taking an early 5-0 lead in the 1st minute. The Greens cut the deficit to 7-6 at the 4-minute mark and 12-11 in the 7th, before going in front 14-19 in the 9th minute, which was also the score at the end of the first quarter.

Panathinaikos BC AKTOR extended the lead to +8 (16-24) in the 12th minute and reached a first double-digit advantage (16-26) one minute later. The Greens pushed the margin to 22-34 in the 17th minute, heading into halftime firmly in control at 27-42.

The Greens opened the second half by going up +17 (27-44) in the 21st minute, but Panionios Cosmorama Travel responded with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 10 (34-44). Panathinaikos BC AKTOR quickly answered, restoring control at 50-34 in the 23rd minute and stretching the lead to an impressive +24 (55-34) a minute later.

The Greens pulled away decisively in the 28th minute, building a +30 (37-67) lead, before closing the third quarter at 45-70. The hosts trimmed the gap to 51-70 in the 33rd minute and 63-75 in the 37th, but Panathinaikos BC AKTOR responded once more, extending the lead to 68-82 and ultimately sealing the win with the final score 84-68.

Quarters: 14-19, 27-42, 45-70, 68-84.

Panionios Cosmorama Travel (Markovic): Watson 6, Lemon 8, Taylor 5 (1), Tsalmpouris 6, Oikonomopoulos, Lewis 16 (4), Gontikas, Thomasson 18 (1), Kreuser 9 (1), Patrikis, Nikolaidis, Gkikas.

Panathinaikos BC AKTOR (Ataman): Shorts 11, Kalaitzakis, Osman 9 (3), Sloukas 9 (1), Hayes-Davis 9 (1), Rogkavopoulos 10 (1), Nunn 6 (1), Toliopoulos 7 (2), Faried 7, Hernangomez 10 (2), Mitoglou 6 (1).

Ataman: “We had two goals and we achieved both”

The head coach of Panathinaikos BC AKTOR, Ergin Ataman, stated in the Press Conference following the away game against Panionios Cosmorama Travel:

“Before the game, we had two goals. One was to win, and the other was to rest players who had been heavily burdened over the past week. We have a double week ahead of us with two crucial games. We managed to achieve both of our objectives. All players are important. We have won our last four games in Stoiximan GBL and EuroLeague. It’s important to decide who to put on the court. Crucial games are coming up.”