Papapetrou's heroics lift Panathinaikos to a double overtime win over Virtus / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: imago images - Scanpix Credit imago images - Scanpix

After losing miserably in Saturday's match against Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade, Panathinaikos OPAP Athens redeemed themselves with a nail-biting 112-111 (23-23, 20-19, 28-19, 19-29, 10-10, 12-11) win over Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

3-pointers this season

39%9,4Points made:9,4Accuracy:38,6%Place in standings:10Record max:16Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Marco BelinelliTeamEuroCupStatisticsSchedule

Ioannis Papapetrou was spectacular for Panathinaikos, finishing with 41 points and two clutch buckets, one of which was the game-winner.

The match went back and forth in the first half. The score was tied at the end of one, and the Greek champions held a one-point lead at halftime (43-42).

Panathinaikos were the better team in the third quarter, outscoring Virtus by 9 and having a double-digit lead going into the final period (71-61).

However, the Italian squad were not ready to roll over and answered back with a strong push in the fourth. Kevin Hervey's 3-pointer helped them gain a two-point advantage with 3:25 remaining (80-82).

Kendrick Perry tied the game at 84 with 1:57 to go, but Hervey helped put his team back up by three after an and-one drive.

Virtus got the stop and converted a 3-pointer on the other end, gaining a six-point lead (84-90). After the timeout, Panathinaikos answered with two straight 3-pointers to tie the game at 90.

Virtus had 11.7 seconds for their final possession, and Ekpe Udoh went up for a layup but was rejected by Jahyve Floyd, and the game went into overtime.

The match remained close in overtime and was tied with 37 seconds left. Udoh's offensive rebound and score gave Virtus a two-point advantage with 12.7 to go. Ioannis Papapetrou took a difficult shot and hit it with 1.7 seconds remaining, but his feet were on the line, and the match was tied once again (100-100).

Udoh had a chance to win the game for his team at the buzzer, but his mid-range shot was off the mark, and the game went into the second overtime.

Panathinaikos gained a solid six-point lead in the final five minutes, but the Italians quickly cut to one (109-108). After the Greeks converted one of two free throws, Marco Belinelli hit a crazy 3-pointer to put his team back up by one with 5.1 seconds remaining (111-110).

But Ioannis Papapetrou was not done and converted a quick mid-range jumper after the inbound, leaving 2.9 seconds for Virtus. Unfortunately for the Italian club, they did not have any timeouts remaining, and Alessandro Pajola's half-court heave was off the mark, helping Panathinaikos escape with a one-point victory.

Panathinaikos: Ioannis Papapetrou 41, Kendrick Perry 25, Leonidas Kaselakis 16, Howard Sant-Roos 15.

Virtus: Awudu Abass 21, Marco Belinelli 20, Kevin Hervey 19.

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