By Eurohoops Team | [email protected]
Karditsa from Greece pulled off a small upset in the opening round of the Basketball Champions League, defeating Belgian Oostende on their home court with a thrilling 95-93 victory after overtime.
The standout player for Karditsa was guard Brandon Jefferson, who finished the game with 23 points, including an impressive five three-pointers. Other key contributors in double figures were El Ellis III with 14 points, Noah Horchler with 12, and Demajeo Wiggins who added 10.
For Oostende, Noam Yaacov led the scoring with 27 points, while Aaron Estrada contributed 22, making them the most efficient players on their team.
Fans witnessed one of the most exciting matches of the Champions League first round in Oostende, with the outcome decided in the final minute of overtime. Karditsa had a chance to secure the win in regular time, but Silas Melson’s three-pointer thrilled the home crowd and pushed the game into overtime, tying it at 83-83.
Ultimately, the Greek team celebrated after a dramatic finish and free-throw heroics to clinch the win on Belgian soil. Oostende had a final opportunity to take the victory when Haris Bratanovic grabbed an offensive rebound following Yaacov’s missed shot, but Pierre-Antoine Gillet’s potential game-winning three-pointer did not fall.
In other Group G action, Unicaja cruised to an easy 97-66 win over Mersin in Malaga in their opening game.
https://www.eurohoops.net/en/fiba-champions-league/1877863/karditsa-defeated-ostende-after-a-dramatic-overtime/