By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Karditsa from Greece pulled off a small upset in the opening round of the Basketball Champions League, beating Belgian Oostende away with a score of 95-93 after overtime.
The standout in the Greek team was guard Brandon Jefferson, who finished the game with 23 points, including five three-pointers. Also scoring in double figures were El Ellis III with 14 points, Noah Horchler with 12, and Demajeo Wiggins with 10. For Oostende, Noam Yaacov scored 27 points and Aaron Estrada added 22, making them by far the most efficient players on their team.
Fans witnessed one of the most exciting matches of the Champions League’s first round in Oostende, with the outcome decided in the final minute of overtime. Karditsa could have celebrated in regular time, but Silas Melson made a three-pointer that delighted the home crowd and sent the game into overtime (83-83).
Ultimately, the Greek team celebrated after a thrilling finish and free-throw drama to secure the win in Belgium. Oostende had a shot for victory after Haris Bratanovic grabbed an offensive rebound following Yaacov’s miss, but Pierre-Antoine Gillet’s three-pointer did not go in.
In the first game of Group G, Unicaja easily beat Mersin in Malaga (97-66).
Postgame press conference: