Aris struggled but was beaten in the final by Cluj, their third loss in the EuroCup

Aris fought against Cluj and came close to victory despite the absences (Toliopoulos, Slaftsakis, Blumbergs), but Galinat missed a layup and a follow-up shot in the Yellows’ last attack and Cluj took the victory in Thessaloniki 61-59.

The two teams were particularly wrong, as evidenced by the final result, which focused on the toughness of the game and assessed it in detail.

Third defeat for the Yellows in the EuroCup with 4-1 and Cluj remains at the top of the table.

The race

Aris’ start to the game was impressive. The Yellows went on a 15-3 run, with Galinat being hot and Kastritis players hitting 3/3 three-pointers from the perimeter. Cluj then tied the game and ended the first quarter with one shot (22-19). In the second third the pace slowed, both teams struggled to find contact with the basket and the score fluctuated at a low level. Nevertheless, Aris found a way to go into the locker room first with the minimal difference (33-32).

Cluj came out strong in the second half and took a seven-point lead (33:40) with an 8-0 run. Aris scored his first points of the third period from the free throw line in the 34th minute (35-40) when he appeared blocked on offense. With the Romanian team at the helm, Ronnie Harrell scored a psychological three-pointer in the final minute of the third quarter, sending the Yellows within one shot (46-49). Everything would be decided in the final, Galinat missed a double chance in the Yellows’ last attack and Cluj emerged victorious 61:59.

THE REFEREES: Mogulcock, Baena, Van den Broeck

THE DECADES: 22-19, 33-32, 46-49, 59-61.

MARS (Castritis): Sanogo 5 (7 rebounds), Carr 6 (0/7 threes, 4 rebounds), Katsivelis 11, Fillios, Bohorides 4, Persidis, De Souza 2, Harel 10 (8 rebounds), Kalogiros, Bankston 6 (4 rebounds), Galinat 15 (3/5 three-pointers, 6 fouls).

Cluj (Silvasán): Guzman 6 (6 rebounds), Meyeris 12 (6 rebounds), Lapouste, Rosnafksi, Seeley, Stipanovic 13 (6 rebounds), Cate 7, Macciouta, Eddy 8 (3 rebounds), Jones 2, Richard 10 (4 Rebound), Mokoka 1.

Mars Team Statistics: 14/37 2-pointers (37%), 6/23 3-pointers (26%), 13/15 shots (86%), 38 rebounds, 10 assists, 8 steals, 16 turnovers

Cluj’s team statistics: 18/35 2-pointers (51%), 3/21 3-pointers (14%), 16/21 shots (76%), 37 rebounds, 18 assists, 6 steals, 15 turnovers

The next games of the two teams: On the following match day, Aris will face Budotchnost away (8/11, 8:00 p.m.), while Cluj will host Ulm (8/11, 7:00 p.m.).