Aris couldn’t stay unbeaten at home in this season’s European competitions and lost to Le Mans by 71-72 (half-time 35-37), for the Game 2 of the Eurocup “Last 16”. The French side won thanks to a basket scored just 1.5 seconds before the end, thus leaving the “yellows” in the bottom of Group I standings, although there’s still time to turn things around.
David Blatt’s team didn’t start very well, but managed to take a 4-point lead (16-12 at 7’), despite the fact that Le Mans was stronger in the rebounds. The visitors were better in the 2nd period and they took the lead, thanks to their effective zone defense and their very few turnovers. They got a 6-point difference (20-26, 6:05before half-time) andZach Wright had 10 points and 3 assist in the first half, which ended 35-37, Paunic scoring the last points, 6’’ before the buzzer.
Aris showed their real character in the beginning of the second half. The “yellows” had drive, put pressure all over the court and forced Le Mans players to erratic decisions. A 9-0 run within just 3 minutes, with Barlos being the leading man, helped Aris get a 7-point advantage (44-37). Nevertheless, in the last 5 minutes of the 3rd period the French team’s defense became really good, too, and Aris couldn’t get a higher lead.
Less than a minute into the 4th quarter, John David Jackson’s team made it an even 50 and despite the “yellows” scored 6 in a row very quickly, they lost this new advantage fast, too. Le Mans took the lead (56-57)onceagain, with 6:20remaining, and the match couldn’t be any closer in the last minutes. Miles made it 67-67 1:53 before the end and 69-68 with 1:10 remaining, but Salyers gave the French side the lead (69-70), with 14’’2 to go. Miles’s drive put Aris in front once again, with 5’’4 remaining, but the game wasn’t over. Diot scored from 3 metres (71-72, 1’’5 before the end), Miles missed the final shot from the center of the court and Le Mans had every reason to celebrate a big victory.
Referees: Ilija Belosevic (Serbia), Ademir Zurapovic (Serbia), Rustu Nuran (Turkey).
Periods: 18-17, 35-37 (half-time), 50-45, 71-72.
ARIS (David Blatt): Clark 2, Betts 9, Labovic, Richardson 19 (3), Chatzivrettas 6, Dikoudis 5, Paunic 2, Kakiouzis 5 (1), Barlos 12 (1), Miles 11 (1).
LE MANS (John David Jackson): Wright 15 (1), Ch. Kahudi 4, Spencer 10 (2), Diot 4, N’Doye 5 (1), Yango, Rupert 6, Batista 14, Salyers 14 (3), Samake.
At the other match of Group I, Alba Berlin beat DKV Joventut 72-68 in Germany.
Standings:
TEAM W-L POINTS
1. Alba Berlin 2-0 140-131
2. DKV Joventut 1-1 142-144
3. Le Mans 1-1 135-139
4. Aris 0-2 143-146
