In the fifth game, the qualification to the final phase of the ECOMMBX Basket League will be decided, between TRIA EKA AEL and Keravnos, as in today’s (29/04), the fourth match of the semi-final series, the blue and yellow won 87-82 and tied at 2-2.
Thus, the qualification will be decided in the next match that will take place at the “Kostas Papaellinas” stadium.
Tate of TRIA EKA AEL scored the first points in the game with a three-pointer (3-0) to be followed by a three-pointer from Burns and a two-pointer from Huntley-Hatfield (3-5) for Keravnos. From there, it was a back-and-forth until the end of the first quarter, with Faye’s layup just seconds into the ninth making it 23-21.
At the start of the second quarter, the home team gained a five-point difference after Markos’ three-pointer (26-21), with the guests halfway through the period equalizing after Wright’s three-pointer (31-31). There was also a tie half a minute before the end of the first half (40-40) after the shots of F. Tiga, to be followed by a two-pointer by Tate (42-40).
In the 23rd minute, Watts’ three-pointer put the Limassol team ahead 47-44, with the Strovolos group then building a six-point streak and halfway through the third quarter, Michael gave a three-point lead (47-50) with a layup. In the 29th minute, with Watts’ two-pointer, there was a difference of one basket (59-61), to be closed by F. Tiga’s three-pointer to close the third quarter (59-64).
In the 31st minute, Keravnos extended its lead by two points (59-66) after two shots by Tiga, while in the 34th minute, his three-pointer brought the difference to eight (65-73). A streak of nine points followed for the blue-yellow team who took the lead in the 36th minute after Clark’s shot (74-73). From that point the match gained even more suspense. Entering the final minute, Flowers’ layup gave TRIA EKA AEL a five-point lead (83-78). Huntley-Hatfield’s shot and Burns’ 3-pointer cut it to 83-82. In the rest of the game four shots by Flowers made the final 87-82.
THE DECADES: 23-21, 42-40, 59-64, 87-82
TRIA EKA AEL (Kalia Papadopoulou)
Clark 17, Markou 8 (2), Tate 18 (2), Faye 8, Flowers 23 (1), Armakolas 3 (1), Moniatis, Georgiou 5, Watts 5 (1)
Lightning (Vassilis Kounas)
Huntley-Hatfield 6, Burns 20 (3), Michael 10, Wright 3 (1), Crockett 10 (2), Pasialis 6, Stylianou 3 (1), Koumis, F. Tigas 22 (4), S. Tigas, Pavlidis 2