Kuzminskas redeemed AEK Betsson at the last moment, who prevailed against Maroussi despite Hill’s 40

Maroussi went to Ano Liosia without Miroslav Radulitsa and Haris Yiannopoulos, but managed to corner AEK Betsson for 40 minutes, with Ahmed Hill scoring 40 (!) points. However, Mindaugas Kuzminskas was the one who redeemed the Union by scoring under the basket while exhaling, while his team had only 1.2 inches to launch an attack and write the final score 91-89. With this victory, Juan’s Platha team actually secured their presence in the Final Eight of the Greek Cup.

The Lithuanian striker was also the first scorer for Queen – who played without Ben McLemore and Dimitris Flionis – and scored 19 points and 6 rebounds. Jordan McRae followed with 17 points, while Justin Tillman and Chaison Randle each contributed 16.

For Giorgos Limniatis’ side, who put in a truly stirring performance throughout the game, Ahmed Hill saw his brilliance fade away. But the American guard will long remember the night when he scored 40 points (6/7 2-pointers, 7/15 3-pointers, 7/9 shots).

The race

The two teams exchanged baskets until the fifth minute (14:14). There, AEK Betsson went on a 7-0 run (21:14, 7th), but Maroussi came close to the basket at the end of the quarter (24:22), with Hill and Briscoe having 8 and 7 points, respectively. During the break, Randle managed to commit three fouls.

After Hill scored 17 points, the visitors were +4 (33-37) shortly after the middle of the second period, but Union managed to take the reins again and head into the locker room with a four-point lead go (49-37). 45th, 20th minute), but accounted for 83% of the visitors’ twos (15/18).

At 24’30 the two competitors were tied again (57-57). Union overtook 65-61 at 28’20, but Giorgos Limniatis’ team ran 8-0 and was +5 (65-70). after the first phase of the fourth period. Meanwhile, Ahmed Hill had reached 28 points and AEK had no way of stopping him.

This gap was maintained until the 36th minute (72-77). Chason Randle made it 77-77 with five points of his own in the 35th minute. The game was exciting until the last second, both teams fought with all their might and refused to give up.

With 44″ to go, AEK seemed to be welcoming victory, leading 87-83 after a basket by Kuzminskas, but Ahmed Hill was back and delivered a heroic performance, hitting three shots with 32″ on the clock to make the score 87 :86 fired. Randle made it 89-86 before Hill hit a great three-pointer from nine yards out to make it 89-89. But Kuzminskas stole his glory and redeemed the Union as he exhaled. The home team only had 1.2 inches left to attack, but Randle found the Lithuanian forward at the center of the stick and he made the decisive basket to make it 91-89.

THE REFEREES: Tsimbouris, Marinakis, Martinakos

THE DECADES: 24-22, 49-45, 65-68, 91-89

AEK BETSSON (Fouls): Hall 5, Netzipoglou 13 (3), Kouseloglou 1, Tillman 16 (4 rebounds), Randle 16 (2/3 three-pointers, 4 rebounds, 3 assists), Karabelas 2, Kuzminskas 19 (7/10 two-pointers , 1/3 three-pointers, 2/4 shots, 6 rebounds), Campengele 2 (4 rebounds), McRae 17 (2/5 three-pointers), Hatzidakis, Pilavios

MAROUSI (Limniatis): Hill 40 (6/7 2-pointers, 7/15 3-pointers, 7/9 shots, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers in 39’12”) Juston 18 (8 rebounds, 4 errors), Briscoe 13 (3 rebounds, 9 assists, 5 errors), Nikolaidis 9 (3/6 three-pointers, 5 rebounds), Peno (5 assists, 3 errors), Stasinos, Bogris 4 (4 rebounds), Filippakos, Iordanos 5 (5 rebounds)

AEK Betsson team statistics: 28/47 2-pointers, 8/20 3-pointers, 11/15 shots, 28 rebounds (17 defensive – 11 offensive), 13 assists, 12 turnovers, 8 steals, 4 blocks

Amarousi’s team statistics: 24/34 2-point shots, 10/27 3-point shots, 11/16 shots, 30 rebounds (20 defensive – 10 offensive), 20 assists, 15 fouls, 5 steals, 1 block

The next games of the two teams: Next week (December 16-17) the All-Star Game will take place in Karditsa. On matchday 11, AEK Betsson will play against Peristeri bwin in the Andreas Papandreou hall (December 24, 5:15 p.m., ERT3), while Maroussi hosts Kolossos (December 23rd, 6:00 p.m., ERTSPORTS 1).