Warren leads AEK Athens to come-from-behind win over Jerusalem

Chris Warren’s free throw with 2.1 seconds left proved the difference as AEK Athens recorded a come-from-behind 75-74 victory over Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem. The visitors led by 17 at halftime, but an 11-0 third-quarter run carried AEK back. The game came down to the final seconds and Matt Janning’s big triple with 5.6 seconds remaining to tie the game had seemingly forced overtime, but Warren drew a foul from Fischer and won it for the hosts. Warren finished with 15 points and 9 assists for AEK, which improved to 2-2 in Group F. Dusan Sakota also scored 15, while Malik Hairston added 14 and Loukas Mavrokefalidis 13 and Marc Carter 11. Janning starred with 23 points for Jerusalem, which fell to 1-3. E.J. Rowland added 14 points and Tony Gaffney 11.

Rowland opened the scoring for the visitors before Warren got AEK on the scoreboard with free throws. A pair of Janning triples gave Jerusalem an 8-12 advantage, though Marc Carter’s three-pointer kept the hosts hot on their tails. However four Jerusalemites scored and two others blocked shots in a 0-9 run to establish a double-digit lead, 11-21. Warren tried to rally AEK, but Janning scored his 11th point of the quarter. Hairston free throws made it 16-25 after 10 minutes. Mavrokefalidis free throws drew the hosts within 7, but Rowland hit free throws and made a three-point play as Jerusalem soared ahead 18-32. But the AEK defense then held Jerusalem to a single basket over the next five minutes. However AEK only rallied to within 26-34 on Nontas Papantoniou in that time. After Janning scored twice in a 0-8 charge, Jerusalem had regained control. Janning added another three to make it 28-45 at halftime.

AEK stormed back into the game with an 11-0 run led by Carter early in the second half to make it 42-48. Janning and D’Or Fischer tried to fend off the hosts, but a three by Sakota closed the gap to 5. Hairston and Sakota each connected again from long distance, but Bar Timor’s triple allowed Hapoel to keep a 54-59 lead through three quarters. Warren nailed a three and later split free throws to bring AEK within 61-63. Tony Gaffney gave Jerusalem some breathing room with a three-pointer. Hairston made a clutch three and Carter’s free throws gave AEK its first lead, 69-68, with 2:20 remaining. Rowland put Jerusalem ahead inside the last minute, however a Sakota triple made it 72-70. Rowland got to the line with 30 seconds remaining, but split his shots. Warren’s layup at the other end gave AEK a 3-point cushion with 10 seconds left. Jerusalem’s play got Janning an open look from far outside, which he buried with 5.6 seconds remaining to tie the game at 74-74. But Warren drew a foul from Fischer with 2.1 seconds left and made a free throw to give AEK a 75-74 victory.