Break at the buzzer by Sloukas!
The master of buzzer beaters, Kostas Sloukas, struck again! With a shot just when the clock was expiring, the international guard, who all in all played an extraordinary game, gave Olympiacos the win over Fenerbahce in Istanbul (72-71) and is now one win away from qualifying for the Euroleague Final Four in Kaunas.
Taking advantage of the poor percentages by our team (mainly from the three-point line), the Turkish team gradually set the tempo (19-13 at 8') and with Tyler Dorsey running point, they got to lead with 11p. (26-15) at 12'. The 'red & whites' though reacted immediately... Playing good defense and with Kostas Sloukas both organizing as well as executing, they ran a partial 14-2 that gave them a one-point lead at 17' (28-29). A three by the international guard gave our team a +5 for the first time in the game (33-38), while Guduric got to shape the score that marked the end of the first half from the free throws line (35-38).
In the 3rd quarter though, Olympiacos completely collapsed, resulting in Fenerbahce exploiting on that and building an 8p. lead (49-41) at 28'. Kostas Sloukas once again made his presence felt (55-50 at 32'), but the hosts were able to maintain the distance (60-51 at 33'). Sloukas utilized Tarik Black, Shaquielle McKissic offered tremendous amounts of energy, Sasha Vezenkov was mobilized and combined with a superb defensive game, our team ran a partial 13-0 and got ahead 60-64 at 36'. With a foul by Dorsey and two unanswered threes by him and Calathes, the Turkish team once again got in the driver's seat (69-66), 1:43'' before the end.
The last seconds were nerve wrecking... With an incredible off-balance three, Sasha Vezenkov tied the game 69-69 48.8'' before the end. Papanikolaou played a successful defensive play on Dorsey, our team grabbed the rebound, but following a turnover by Walkup the ball ended in Turkish hands once again and Guduric made the score 71-69, with 3.8'' on the clock. Coach Bartzokas called for a time out, the ball went in from the center of the court, Sloukas took it upon him to take the shot and the rest is history!!!
The quarters: 21-15, 35-38, 51-45, 71-72.
FENERBAHCE
OLYMPIACOS
