Olympiacos win Greek derby behind strong third quarter and superb Vezenkov / News - Basketnews.com

Vezenkov had 22 points, 10 rebounds, and a game-high 33 PIR.

Credit: Olympiacos BC Credit Olympiacos BC

Olympiacos Piraeus won the third quarter by 19 points and paved their way to a cruising 81-65 (22-19, 13-21, 29-10, 17-15) victory over archrivals Panathinaikos Athens in the Greek Cup semifinals.

2-pointers this season

48%18,4Points made:18,4Accuracy:48,3%Place in standings:16Record max:28Record min:12Most made 2FGs:Dwayne BaconTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The Reds had a five-point deficit at halftime (35-40) but turned the tables on PAO after the 15-minute break.

Olympiacos started the third tally with a 17-0 run (5/5 3PT), while Panathinaikos could not score a single basket for five and a half minutes. Piraeus did not let their rivals breathe easier throughout the fourth period and finished the game comfortably.

Sasha Vezenkov, who scored 14 of his team's 22 points in the first quarter, finished the match with a double-double of game-high 22 points (4/5 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 7/11 FT), 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 33 PIR.

Olympiacos are scheduled to meet Vassilis Spanoulis' Peristeri B.C. in the Greek Cup final on Sunday, at 18:15 CET.

Georgios Bartzokas' men will seek their back-to-back title and 11th trophy overall.

Olympiacos: Sasha Vezenkov 22 (10 REB), Kostas Papanikolaou 15, Isaiah Canaan 14.

Panathinaikos: Paris Lee 17 (5 AST), Derrick Williams 13, Georgios Papagiannis 13 (5 REB).

Subscribe to BN+ and get access to exclusive content.