Aris made a big step forward by winning Alba Berlin 80-67 (halftime score 36-38) at Alexandrio Melathro, for Game 4 of the Eurocup Last 16. After their victory, the “yellows” will need another home win, next Tuesday (02/03) against DKV Joventut with at least 3 points of margin, in order to qualify automatically to the quarterfinals.

Matt Walsh’s debut brought good luck to the team, which started with a spectacular 9-0 run within 2:37, but the visitors responded with 11 points in a row. Led by Betts, Aris took the lead once again and gained a 5-point advantage (20-15) just before the end of the 1st quarter.

Although two three-pointers by Clark brought the local team at “+6” (28-22, 6:10 before halftime), Alba stroke back and took the lead once again (30-31, with 3:32 to go). In fact,they wereup by 2at halftime(36-38).

The “yellows” faced an offensive problem in the beginning of the second half and this helped the Germans to maintain the lead until minute 27, when Richardson made it even (47-47) with a three-point shot. Five consecutive points scored by Aris’s leader, Kakiouzis, made it 52-49 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

The Berlin team scored two baskets in a row within the first minute of the 4th period (52-53), but their joy didn’t last long. Betts scored a goal-foul and gave Richardson the opportunity to add two points more after a spectacular block (60-58, with 7:09 to go). From that moment, Aris was terrific in defense and at the same time made some big shots from the perimeter, thus building an important score difference: Two three-pointers scored by Walsh and Kakiouzis made it 70-61 with 2:29 remaining and there was no turning back. Clark, Betts and Kakiouzis added another three points each and gave to the fans every reason to celebrate, as Aris’s lead reached as high as 14 points (78-64) just before the end.

Referees: Sasa Pukl (Slovenia), Fernando Rocha (Portugal), Boris Shulga (Ukraine).

Periods: 20-17, 36-38 (halftime), 52-49, 80-67.

ARIS (David Blatt): Clark 11 (3), Betts 19, Richardson 17 (2), Chatzivrettas, Dikoudis 3, Paunic, Kakiouzis 18 (3), Barlos 4, Miles, Walsh 8 (2).

ALBA BERLIN (Luka Pavicevic): Byars 9 (1), Hamann 5 (1), Dojcin 6 (1), Golemac 11 (1), Sekulic10, Jenkins11 (2), Wright 2, Nalga 6, McElroy 7 (1).

In the other match of Group I - Game 4, DKV Joventut won Le Mans by 80-73.

Standings:

TEAM                     W-L    POINTS

1.DKV Joventut       3-1     292-279

2.Aris                    2-2     288-274

3.Alba Berlin            2-2     268-276

4.Le Mans              1-3    270-289