FIBA Europe Cup: Bilbao Basket Must Overcome Six-Point Deficit at Home After Game 1 Loss to PAOK (79-73)

THESSALONIKI. Surne Bilbao Basket will need to overcome a six-point deficit next week at Miribilla to keep their FIBA Europe Cup title defense alive. Jaume Ponsarnau's team fell 79-73 to PAOK in the first leg of the final, played at Palataki, in a match marked by inconsistent play from the visitors and several crucial errors.

The game started with plenty of offensive inaccuracy and a very low scoring pace. Both teams took time to find rhythm and the scoreboard showed just 3-3 when barely half of the first quarter had elapsed. Bilbao Basket couldn't find fluidity, especially from beyond the arc, though they managed to stay in the game. The first quarter ended with a tight 16-13 advantage for the Greek squad.

In the second quarter, PAOK stepped up and managed to open a lead that reached as much as ten points. The home team found better opportunities against Bilbao's defense, while the men in black suffered from the limited contribution of their point guards in that stretch. Still, the accuracy of Hilliard and Jaworski kept the Spanish team afloat, reaching halftime with a chance despite the 43-35 deficit.

After the break, the script remained the same. The Greek team continued to find answers in Tyree and Beverly, authors of much of the local offensive production. Bilbao Basket tried to react with a better version of Frey and some interior work from Bagayoko, but failed to capitalize on their opportunities to cut the deficit further. At the end of the third quarter, the score was 60-53.

The visitors' best moment came early in the fourth period. Jaworski took charge and brought Bilbao within 60-59, leaving the game wide open. Bilbao Basket even had several possessions to take the lead, but couldn't complete the comeback.

In the final stretch, several costly mistakes weighed heavily. A missed free throw in the closing seconds and poor management of the last local possession extended the Greek advantage to a final 79-73, a margin that leaves the series very much alive.

Jaworski was Surne Bilbao Basket's leading scorer with 24 points, well supported by Hilliard, who added 19. Everything will be decided next week in Bilbao Arena, where the men in black will seek another European night to overcome the six-point deficit and defend their crown.