Aris, led by Vassilis Toliopoulos, countered in the second half and defeated Karditsa 69-61 at Nick Galis Hall.

The Greek guard scored 22 points (3/7 two-pointers, 4/8 three-pointers) and was a catalyst for his team’s dominance. The Thessalians went into the break with +10 (29-39), but the yellows improved significantly in the second half and turned the situation around.

On the following match day, Aris hosts AEK (October 29th, 5:15 p.m.), while Karditsa faces the Scarafiga team against Marousi (October 28th, 7:00 p.m.).

The race

After an even first quarter with a low tempo and low score, Kardisa increased the tempo in the second third when Aris had not yet found his feet. For the Thessalonians, Smith was the main protagonist of their offensive actions, followed by Klaassen in both scoring and creativity. Papanikolopoulos’ team developed a double-digit lead which they maintained until half-time (29-39), leaving the Yellows very low in the productive sector.

Aris countered in the third quarter and led by the great Vassilis Toliopoulos took a 21-11 lead, bringing the game into balance with both teams starting from zero in the final period (50-50). In the fourth quarter, the two teams fluctuated in terms of productivity at a low level and the game was decided in the details. Kastritis’ team withstood the pressure and won 69-61.

THE REFEREES: Tsarouha, Marinakis, Tsonos

THE DECADES: 15-15, 29-39, 50-50, 69-61

MARS (Castritis): Sanogo 8 (7 rebounds), Carr 5, Katsivelis, De Souza 2 (4 rebounds), Galinat 14 (1/4 three-pointers), Slaftsakis 2, Toliopoulos 22 (3/7 two-pointers, 4/8 three-pointers), Fillios, Bohorides 5 (3 rebounds), Persidis, Harel 11 (7 rebounds), Bankston

CARDS (Papanikolopoulos): White 6 (7 rebounds), Buchanan 8 (2 rebounds), Classes 11 (6 rebounds, 6 assists), Smith 18 (10 rebounds), Kamberidis, McCollum 8 (6 rebounds, 2 assists), Kourepis, Kapetakis , Christidis, Tsoukas, Avdalas, Seibert 10.

Mars Team Stats: 15/32 2-pointers (46%), 8/29 3-pointers (27%), 15/20 shots (75%), 34 rebounds, 13 assists, 13 turnovers, 11 steals, 3 blocks

Karditsa team statistics: 19/40 2-pointers (47%), 4/19 3-pointers (21%), 11/17 shots (64%), 41 rebounds, 15 assists, 19 turnovers, 5 steals.

The next games of the two teams: On the following matchday, Aris hosts AEK (October 29th, 5:15 p.m.), while Karditsa plays against Marousi (October 28th, 7:00 p.m.).