By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
Belgrade – Before EuroLeague Round 27, Panathinaikos had twice as many wins as Partizan, but once again Europe’s top competition showed how fine the margins can be.
Fueled by a packed Belgrade Arena, Joan Peñarroya’s team delivered its best performance of the season, surprising Panathinaikos and cruising to a convincing 78–62 victory.
Partizan delivered a complete team performance. Cameron Payne scored 18 points, adding five assists and four rebounds. Sterling Brown contributed 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists, while Isaac Bonga and Bruno Fernando each added 16 and 11 points respectively. Tonye Jekiri, Dylan Osetkowski, and Bonga helped limit Panathinaikos’ big men, controlling the paint and rebounds throughout the game.
Panathinaikos struggled to respond. T.J. Shorts was the only notable performer, scoring 21 points and keeping his team somewhat competitive.
Ergin Ataman’s team was powerless against an inspired Partizan, falling behind by double digits before halftime and struggling to find a way back in the third quarter. The hosts extended their lead and gained complete control, entering the final 10 minutes with a 66-42 advantage. Panathinaikos’ Nikos Rogkavopoulos was ejected after pushing Partizan’s Arijan Lakić in the closing moments of the third period.
It was all over for the visitors. Partizan maintained control in the final period despite T.J. Shorts’ efforts and eventually recorded their biggest win of the EuroLeague season.