Basketball Champions League: AEK Rallies Past Joventut, Takes Game 1 of Quarterfinals (87-84)

ATHENS — AEK defeated Joventut Badalona 87-84 in the first game of the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals, taking a series lead after a tightly contested matchup decided in the final seconds. The Greek side overcame a significant first-half deficit and prevailed thanks to strong performances from Frank Bartley and James Nunnally in this Basketball Champions League clash.

box score

Joventut Badalona started the game with confidence despite significant interior absences with Ante Tomic and Simon Birgander both sidelined by injury. The Spanish team controlled the pace throughout the first half and found scoring opportunities with ease, particularly through Henri Drell, who scored 12 points in just nine minutes.

With that offensive momentum, Joventut Badalona built a significant lead on the scoreboard, reaching 47-34, which appeared to be putting the visiting team in control of this Basketball Champions League quarterfinal matchup.

However, the game changed dramatically after halftime. AEK returned to the court with a completely different intensity and opened the third quarter with a dominant 15-2 run that shifted the game's momentum. A three-pointer from Frank Bartley tied the score at 49, sparking the Greek team's comeback.

From that point forward, the game became a constant back-and-forth exchange. AEK managed to close the third quarter with a slight advantage (64-61), with Bartley already accumulating 17 points and leading the Athens team's offense in this Basketball Champions League series.

Joventut Badalona's response came quickly. The Spanish team opened the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run, regaining the initiative thanks to accurate shooting from Ricky Rubio and Jabari Parker, which allowed Joventut to retake the lead (69-66).

The finish was extremely tight. With less than a minute remaining, Joventut Badalona held a slim advantage (82-81) that left this Basketball Champions League game completely open. However, AEK managed the final possessions more effectively.

The Greek team put together a decisive 6-2 closing run that decided the game. Frank Bartley, who scored 23 points, was AEK's primary offensive force, well supported by James Nunnally, who contributed 19 points to secure the 87-84 victory.

For Joventut Badalona, Cameron Hunt led the scoring with 16 points, while Ricky Rubio added 13 and Jabari Parker finished with 12, in a game where the Spanish team competed until the end despite absences in their interior game.

With this victory, AEK takes a 1-0 series lead in the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals, a best-of-three series. Joventut Badalona will now have the opportunity to even the series in the next game and force a decisive third matchup in the race to the Final Four.