Beat Maroussi at the buzzer
Olympiacos were far from convincing and struggled considerably against Maroussi, but ultimately secured a valuable 83–81 road victory at Agios Thomas, maintaining their unbeaten record in the Greek Basketball League (GBL) after 6 rounds.
For Olympiacos, who were without Hall, Papanikolaou and Konchar, in addition to the absentees Montero and Jones, Ward (16 points, 5 rebounds), Vezenkov (18 points, 3 rebounds) and Fournier (20 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists) stood out, with Ward scoring the game-winning basket.
Giorgos Bartzokas started the game with Miller-McIntyre, Fournier, Ward, Vezenkov and Milutinov. Olympiacos immediately established a 7-point lead. Unlike their previous game against Crvena Zvezda, the 'Red & Whites' started strongly from beyond the arc, with Miller-McIntyre, Joseph, Fournier and Vezenkov all connecting from the 3-point range. This helped Olympiacos finish the opening quarter leading by 4p. (20–24).
In the second quarter, Omiros Netzipoglou also joined the list of successful 3-point shooters, while Vezenkov converted a basket and the accompanying free throw to make it 25–34, becoming the first player to reach double figures. Overall, however, Olympiacos failed to impress, committing 9 turnovers before halftime and allowing Maroussi to fight their way back into the game and level the score at 41–41 at the break.
Olympiacos initially looked more composed at the start of the second half, with Vezenkov and Fournier hitting shots from beyond the arc, suggesting that they were ready to take control of the game. However, a series of mistakes at both ends of the floor allowed the home side to take the lead for the first time (56–55). At that point, 5 consecutive points from Tyson Ward made him Olympiacos' third player in double figures, joining Fournier and Vezenkov. Nevertheless, threes by Walker and Lountzis helped Maroussi close the third quarter ahead at 65–63.
In the fourth quarter, buoyed by their growing confidence, Maroussi managed to gain a 5 point lead (72–67). Olympiacos responded, however, with Ward and Vezenkov finishing plays around the basket to put the visitors back in front, 76–77, with 2:50'' remaining.
Tension mounted in the closing seconds as both teams tightened their defensive efforts. With 42 seconds left, the score was tied at 79–79. Cory Joseph then converted a crucial floater with 28 seconds remaining, but Walker responded by making both free throws to level the score once again.
On Olympiacos' final possession, Ward delivered the decisive basket to make it 81–83, leaving Maroussi just 3'' to respond. Lountzis missed a contested three, allowing the our team to escape Agios Thomas with a hard-fought and valuable road victory.
The quarters: 20–24, 41–41, 65–63, 81–83.
