AEK erase 25-point deficit, clinch second place in Group B
It was a game of two halves between AEK and Pinar Karsiyaka after Karsiyaka let a big lead slip away, while Telekom Baskets Bonn continued their winning ways as they carry momentum into the Round of 16.
MIES (Switzerland) - It was a game of two halves between AEK and Pinar Karsiyaka after Karsiyaka let a big lead slip away, while Telekom Baskets Bonn continued their winning ways as they carry momentum into the Round of 16.
Karsiyaka came out clicking on all cylinders and led by as many as 25 points in the first half. Despite trailing by as many as 25 and then 16 at halftime, AEK made a move and the game completely flipped in their favor after they outscored Karsiyaka 56-32 in the second half to seal an 80-72 win.
The 25-point comeback was the largest ever for a team in BCL history.
Akil Mitchell was the star of the game, finishing with a double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds along with 3 steals on 9-of-15 shooting from the field. The 30-year-old also finished with a game-high efficiency rating of 30.
After making only four three-pointers in the first half, AEK found their shot and connected on eight made threes in the second half.
AEK finished in second place in Group B with a record of 3-3 and will face Tofas Bursa (who finished 2-4 and in third place in Group A) next in the Play-In. Karsiyaka, meanwhile, finished 2-4 in third place in the group and will now turn their attention to UCAM Murcia (4-2, second place in Group A) in the Play-In.
"I'm proud of the guys for the way that we fought," said Mitchell. "It seems like we always have a lot of fight, but tonight, the guys showed a lot of character, and to come back from down so much and to get the win shows a lot about our heart."
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 -𝟮𝟱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝟴-𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗪 😱@aekbcgr find a way to completely turn the game around behind @ajmitchell25's monster performance! The 🇬🇷 team finish 2nd in Group B!#BasketballCL pic.twitter.com/DStSntGuv6
— Basketball Champions League (@BasketballCL) December 21, 2022
Telekom Baskets Bonn continue BCL hot streak
Bonn held a slim four-point lead at halftime, but eventually ran away with the game after outscoring UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia 46-26 in the second half for a 90-66 victory. They have extended their winning streak in the BCL to five games, their longest in BCL history.
Bonn were led by a balanced attack with five players scoring in double figures including Leon Kratzer (16 points, 9 rebounds), TJ Shorts II (12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), Deane Williams (12 points, 3-of-4 3P), Finn Delany (11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) and Karsten Tadda (10 points, 3-of-4 3P).
Bonn had already clinched first place in Group B and their spot in the Round of 16, while Reggio Emilia were officially eliminated from the competition with the loss.
🛑@TelekomBaskets get revenge for their only Regular Season loss against @PallacReggiana, end the Italian's #BasketballCL campaign! pic.twitter.com/HzO4qNyDeL
— Basketball Champions League (@BasketballCL) December 21, 2022
The final standings in Group B:
Group B
12/12 games played
GAMES | GAME POINTS | POINTS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Team | P | W | L | % | For | Agt | +/- | FA | AA | |
1 | Telekom Baskets Bonn * | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83.3 | 499 | 443 | 56 | 83.2 | 73.8 | 11 |
2 | AEK ** | 6 | 3 | 3 | 50.0 | 458 | 448 | 10 | 76.3 | 74.7 | 9 |
3 | Pinar Karsiyaka ** | 6 | 2 | 4 | 33.3 | 467 | 490 | -23 | 77.8 | 81.7 | 8 |
4 | UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia | 6 | 2 | 4 | 33.3 | 436 | 479 | -43 | 72.7 | 79.8 | 8 |