Aris’s performance was below par in France and they lost to Le Mans 79-75 (halftime 37-37) for Game 6 of the Eurocup “Last 16”, missing the chance to finish in the 1st spot of Group I and play at home the return game of the quarterfinals. The “yellows” ended in the 2nd place with a 3 wins - 3 losses record and they will face Spanish side Power Electronics Valencia in the quarterfinals. The first leg will be held in Thessaloniki (Wednesday 24/03) and the second leg in Spain (Wednesday 31/03). If Aris had won in Le Mans, they would play Hapoel Jerusalem, with the second leg at home.
The start of the match in “Antares” showed what was about to follow. Led by Salyers, the local team was 9-3 up after a couple of minutes and then extended their difference to 7 points (15-8 at 4’, 18-11 at 5’) behind two three-pointers by Diot. Aris reacted in a powerful way and ran a 0-10, taking the lead by 18-21, 1:48 before the end, thanks to consecutive baskets by Clark and Richardson.
However, the second quarter wasn’t nearly as good for David Blatt’s players, who could only score from behind the arc until minute 19. At the same time, Salyers was unstoppable, had scored 18 already in the first half, which ended in a 37-37 tie.
Neither of the two teams could take a notable lead into the third period, at least until minute 28, when the “yellows” managed to get a 4-point difference (50-54). Nevertheless, Le Mans responded with a 6-0 run.
The last quarter’s beginning was disastrous for Aris. Le Mans scored 7 in a row, built an 8-point margin (67-59) and kept the lead until the very end. Although Aris came close (67-65), the French team got away once more at “+8” (73-65). It wasn’t over yet, as Clark made it 77-74, with 1:37 to go, but Kakiouzis failed to make an open three-pointer, which would make it 77 all. Diot scored two free throws, the “yellows” missed their opportunities in attack and Richardson could only score from the free throw line, with 8’’6 remaining. Yet another missed three-point shot was the last play of the game for Aris, which had lost to Le Mans in Thessaloniki, as well.
Referees: Ilija Belosevic (Serbia), Jose Ramon Garcia Ortiz (Spain), Robert Vyklicky (Poland).
Periods: 22-24, 37-37 (halftime), 60-59, 79-75.
LE MANS (John David Jackson): Wright 9, Ch. Kahudi 4, Spencer 4, Diot 18 (3), Ndoye 12, Yango, Rupert 2, Batista 5, Salyers 25 (3).
ARIS (David Blatt): Clark 18 (4), Betts 8, Richardson 14 (3), Chatzivrettas 9 (1), Dikoudis 4, Paunic, Kakiouzis 2, Barlos, Miles 10 (1), Walsh 10 (3).
The other match of Group I - Game 6 ended with a 62-68 victory for Alba Berlin in Spain against DKV Joventut.
The final standings:
TEAM W-L POINTS
1.Alba Berlin 4-2 419-409
2.Aris 3-3 447-407
3.DKV Joventut 3-3 408-431
4.Le Mans 2-4 423-450
Photos: Francois Navarro / Le Mans Sarthe Basket
63, RUE GAMBETTA - LE MANS - FRANCE
+33 6 77 64 24 98
www.francois-navarro.com / www.lemansregards.fr / fnavarrophotographe@live.fr
