GRE - Panionios blow huge lead and fall to PAOK

ATHENS (A1 Ethniki) - PAOK trailed by 16 points early in the second quarter but hit back to stun hosts Panionios 79-77 over the weekend in Greece's top flight.
 
Panionios, attempting to get into the top eight places that qualify for the play-offs, claimed a 37-21 advantage three minutes into the second frame.
 
They did not put their opponents away, however, and are now ninth on the ladder.
 
F.Y.R. of Macedonia star Todor Gechevski hit two free-throws with four seconds remaining for a 79-76 PAOK advantage.
 
The visitors then prevented Panionios from launching a potential game-tying three-ball by fouling Ivan Zoroski with one second remaining.
 
He made the first free-throw, missed the second and the game ended as sixth-place PAOK held on.
 
League leaders Panathinaikos hit the road and routed Trikala, 101-72.
 
Montenegro center Nikola Pekovic poured in 18 points for the Greens, who stretched their lead to four-points over second-place Olympiacos.
 
The Reds, who have a 2-0 lead in their Euroleague Quarter-Final showdown with Asseco Prokom, were idle over the weekend.
 
Maroussi are in third place and a point clear of Panellinios following a 73-66 victory at AEK.
 
William Keys poured in 18 points for Maroussi.
 
Panellinios, who will take an 11-point lead into their Eurocup second-leg clash at Gran Canaria 2014 this week, thrashed bottom side Olympia Larissa 96-80.
 
Fifth-place Kolossos fell behind by eight early in the second half but won at home over Aris, 79-73.
 
Michalis Kakiouzis, the former Greece national team captain of Aris, said: "We made too many mistakes and Kolossos won fairly. Kolossus ran the fast break and had easy points."
 
David Blatt's Aris, which travels to Valencia this week for the second leg of their Eurocup tie trailing by seven points, are seventh in Greece.
 
However, they are level with Peristeriou, who have a game in hand.
 
Panionios are just one point behind both Aris and Peristeriou.
 
Blatt, the Russia national team coach, says his Aris outfit must turns things around.
 
"We must find a way to reverse the situation," he said.
 
"We still have many struggles ahead and hope to solve the problems."
 
Ilisiakos edged Kavala 73-66 in the other game.


 
FIBA