THESSALONIKI (Greece) - PAOK BC held on in a tense finish to beat Surne Bilbao Basket 79-73 in the first leg of the FIBA Europe Cup Finals on Wednesday.
Pat Beverley led the way with 24 points, helped by 21 from Breein Tyree as they inflicted a first loss on the reigning champions in the competition since the opening game of the 2025-26 season.
The second leg takes place in Bilbao on Wednesday, April 29 at 20:00 CET.
Turning point
After a cagey first period, Beverley took it upon himself to lift PAOK when everyone else was struggling. He scored seven points in a row for the hosts to give them a 29-20 lead, and then Cleveland Melvin scored for a double-digit advantage.
From there, the hosts maintained their cushion and led by as many as 12 points. They had held the holders to just nine field goals coming up to the latter stages of the second quarter and held their lead heading deep into the third.
But as the game wore on, the holders were patient; they saw their moment and reduced the gap to 60-59 on the back of a 6-0 run with all points scored by Justin Jaworski.
But despite the pressure building, PAOK held on and secured a slender lead going into the second leg.
Game hero
When PAOK needed their big-game performer, he delivered. Veteran Beverley is used to big moments, and he delivered in the first leg, scoring 16 first-half points and ending with 24 overall to guide PAOK to victory.
He was supported by Breein Tyree, who chipped in with 21 points having previously being held in single figures in scoring in the two meetings in the Second Round.
Stats don't lie
PAOK's defensive pressure held the competition's leading scorers, Bilbao, to just four field goals after the first quarter as the holders only shot 23 percent.
Despite improvement from the holders, who narrowed the gap to just a single point late on, PAOK maintained their advantage and secured the important win heading into the second leg.
Bottom line
It's an advantage for PAOK going into the second leg next Wednesday, but this game is far from over.
Trailing by as many as 12 points, Bilbao were in unfamiliar territory but showed they could execute under pressure, reducing the gap to a single point in the final period. They will be happy that despite the loss, it's only six points, as it could have been worse.
The hosts, though, withstood fourth-quarter pressure from Bilbao, but they will be disappointed that they let their double-digit lead slip. Still, they head into the second leg with the lead - aiming to bring the FIBA Europe Cup to Greece for the first time.
FIBA