Solid Vezenkov and clutch Dorsey guide Olympiacos to first EuroLeague W in 2022 / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Olympiacos Piraeus (13-9) skidded their 4-game losing streak in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, defeating Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (7-16) 72-62 (18-13, 14-16, 18-15, 22-18).

Player of the Game EFF 18 Aleksandr Vezenkov Points 15 Accuracy 6-11 Rebounds 3 Assists 3

Despite being down by 6 points before the last quarter, Baskonia started the last 10 minutes of the game with a 9-0 spurt to gain a 3-point advantage (53-50). Rokas Giedraitis and Wade Baldwin poured in three treys in a row.

Both clubs were trading buckets, while the result was tied at 60 with 3 minutes left. Though, Olympiacos struck with a 10-0 run to gain a solid 10-point lead (70-60) with 1:30 to play. Tyler Dorsey scored 8 clutch points, while Sasha Vezenkov added a duo.

Baskonia could not restore the intrigue, as Olympiacos celebrated the tough win.

Tyler Dorsey was the top scorer for the winners, posting 17 points (3/4 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 2/2 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, and 17 PIR.

"Overall, I feel good for us as a team. We've been on a four-game losing streak and it feels good to get one on the road. It was a tough one against a good team. We just gotta build off this. We gotta get better and back to a winning mindset. And I think that was the start of it today," said Dorsey post-game.

Sasha Vezenkov added 15 points (5/7 2PT2/2 FT, 1/4 3PT, ), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, and 18 PIR.

"At this time, it's a very important win for us. Every game is like a final in the second round. There are a lot of teams fighting for the playoffs; we are one of them. We really believe in our team. We have confidence, but we had four losses in a row and we need to find our confidence again. This win today will help us a lot," commented Georgios Bartzokas.

Alec Peters was the leader of Baskonia with 18 points (6/7 2PT, 2/2 3PT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 23 PIR.

"We fought. We played better defense than usual. Right now our problem is the offense. So many turnovers in the crucial moments. Very difficult to win a game against such an experienced team like Olympiacos is," spoke Neven Spahija after the loss.

Olympiacos ran away from their opponents at the start of the game, building an 11-point lead (16-5). Though, Baskonia responded and even were in front by the minimal margin in the second period (21-20).

Nevertheless, the Greek powerhouse closed the first half more successfully and had a 3-point cushion before the break (32-29).

Olympiacos: Tyler Dorsey 17, Sasha Vezenkov 15, Thomas Walkup 12 (4 STL), Kostas Papanikolaou 12.

Baskonia: Alec Peters 18 (7 REB), Rokas Giedraitis 12, Steven Enoch 9.

Highlights

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