The wild incidents before the bang marked the game between AEK and Rezzo Emilia on Wednesday night (7/12), creating a heavy atmosphere in the closed Ano Liosia and pushing the game into second place as there were injuries. Of course, the two teams weren’t to blame, they put up a nice fight on the floor for Game 5 of the Basketball Champions League, with the yellow-blacks getting the win (68-59) they sorely needed.

AEK climbed to 2-3 who now have the same record as the Italians (they beat them twice) but also with Karsigiaka welcoming them on the 6th and final matchday. A win sees Ilias Kanzouris’ team second in their group in the play-in (a streak of two wins to qualify for the Round of 16), a loss means they need a Gela from Rezzo Emilia -who will welcome Bonn to to finish in third place. Strasbourg, Murcia, Tofas, Zompatelli participate in Group A.

Group B result

1 Bonn 4:1
2. Karsiyaka 2-3
3. AEK 2-3
4.Rezzo Emilia 2-3

The race

AEK didn’t start the game well (7-15 in 7′), with Michael Hopkins scoring 10 points to put his team ahead and within reach. In the end, the hosts had two assists, the visitors seven for just two penalties, and a 13-20 was fair according to the game so far. As much as the yellow-blacks tried to defend themselves, the guests found solutions. They didn’t shoot impressively, but by halftime they had 13 assists for their 13 baskets against AEK, who had just nine accurate shots in 28 attempts (32.1%).

After Papadakis threw up spurts and scored late in the third half, AEK pulled from inside a basket (47-49 at 29′) and got back in the game before taking a half-goal lead by six (56-50 at 32′). went from 23-7. Mitchell scored +8 right in the middle of the fourth quarter (61-53), McGriff hit a 3-pointer in the 37th minute for 64-53 and AEK never looked back. She got the result and now holds the qualifier for the play-in in her hands.

THE REFEREES: Marques, Lukis, Zapolski

THE DECADES: 13-20, 29-39, 47-50, 68-59

AEK (Kantzouris): Flionis 3, Koniaris 2, Miles 8 (2), Mitchell 16 (5/11 2-pointers, 6/8 shots, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 6 turnovers), Williams 15 (5/7 2-pointers , 1/6 3-pointers, 2/2 shots, 4 rebounds), Filippakos, Frazier 6 (1/6 shots, 5 rebounds, 6 assists), Madsen 10 (3/4 2-pointers, 4/5 shots), McGriff, Papadakis 4 (6 assists in 9:26), Petropoulos 4

REZO EMILIA (Fouka): Anim 11 (2/6 2-pointers, 2/5 3-pointers, 1/2 shots), Burgianadze 5 (4 rebounds), Ccincharini 11 (3 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, 9 assists), Olisevicius 10 (1/6 3-pointers, 4 rebounds), Vitali 6 (2), Diouf 1, Hopkins 13 (3/7 2-pointers, 1/2 3-pointers, 4/5 shots, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 fouls, 6 turnovers), Stefanini 2, Strautins

Team stats from AEK: 19/33 2-pointers, 4/23 3-pointers, 18/22 shots, 42 rebounds (27 defensive – 15 offensive), 20 assists, 9 steals, 4 blocks, 13 turnovers, 20 fouls

Rezzo Emilia team statistics: 9/20 2-pointers, 10/30 3-pointers, 11/18 shots, 36 rebounds (31 defense – 5 offense), 17 assists, 8 steals, 3 blocks, 17 fouls

The next games of the two teams: On Matchday 6, AEK plays Karsigiaka in Ano Liosia (21/12), Rezzo Emilia hosts Voni (21/12).