PAOK fought with determination and made a brave effort to secure an important away victory, but in the end, injuries and the many issues that arose during the game proved decisive. Peristeri Betsson prevailed 75–70, with PAOK now returning to the PAOK Sports Arena for four consecutive games, both in the domestic league and in Europe.
PAOK, who played without Chougkaz and Koniaris and had Omoruyi out of the foreign players’ rotation, saw Ben Moore get into foul trouble early. The team also lost Melvin before halftime due to an ankle sprain, and Dimsa shortly before the end of the game. Despite these setbacks, PAOK showed great fighting spirit and determination until the final buzzer.
PAOK took an early lead (2–6), and after several lead changes, was ahead 10–11 in the 8th minute. The hosts closed the first quarter with a 10–1 run to go up by eight (20–12).
Peristeri extended the lead to 11 (23–12) early in the second quarter, but PAOK responded with a 0–10 run, with three-pointers from Tyree and Melvin cutting the deficit to one (23–22 at 12:30). With another 0–5 run, PAOK took the lead (29–34) and, despite Moore picking up his third foul and Melvin leaving the game injured, went into halftime with a seven-point advantage (32–39).
PAOK maintained the lead until midway through the third quarter (42–44), but the hosts capitalized on fatigue and roster issues to take control (56–47) and led by six (58–52) at the end of the third period.
Peristeri went up 64–57, but PAOK responded immediately, tying the game at 66–66 and 68–68. However, PAOK trailed by four (72–68) with the final 90 seconds remaining.
PAOK cut the deficit to two (72–70), and with the score at 73–70, Tyree missed a three-pointer that could have turned the game around, marking the team’s final opportunity.
Scoring by quarter: 20–12, 32–39, 58–52, 75–70
PERISTERI Betsson: Nichols 7, Cardenas 7 (1), Van Tubbengen 12, Petrakis 2, Payne 9, Mouratos, Kaklamanakis 5, C.J. Harris 15 (2), Papadakis 8 (2), Carius 7, Jankovits 3
PAOK: Allen 5, Melvin 10 (2), Tyree 18 (2), Slavtsakis, Persidis, Iatridis 5 (1), Beverley 12 (1), Fillios, Moore 12, Dimsa 8 (2)