AEK loses 77-73 at home to Doxa Lefkada, fourth straight GBL defeat

Doxa Lefkada wins in Athens

Doxa Lefkada beat AEK 77-73 at the Sunel Arena on 14 November, in the seventh round of the Stoiximan GBL. It was AEK's fourth straight league defeat and its fifth of the season, leaving the Athens club at 2-5 and ninth in the table. Doxa Lefkada, one of the newly promoted sides, improved to 3-4 and climbed to fifth place with its third win in seven games. The visitors had the upper hand for most of the match, while AEK was short of players.

How the game turned

Doxa Lefkada led 12-5 after the first four minutes and was 27-13 ahead at the end of the first quarter. Its biggest margin came near the end of the second quarter, when it moved 16 points clear at 40-24. AEK cut the gap to 33-40 by the 18th minute, and the first half finished 45-37 for the visitors.

The second half was tighter. Larentzakis hit a three to level the score at 55-55 in the 28th minute, and AEK later led 63-60 early in the fourth quarter. Arsenopoulos answered with a three for Doxa Lefkada, 67-63 at the 35th minute. Threes from Bartley and Larentzakis brought AEK within one at 71-72 at the 38th minute. With the score 73-76 in the final minute, AEK had two chances to tie, but Katsivelis and Bartley both missed from beyond the arc. Harmon made one of two free throws with five seconds left to set the final 73-77.

Key contributions

Harmon led Doxa Lefkada with 17 points, and Arsenopoulos added 15, including three of five from long range. Robinson recorded a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. For AEK, Bartley was the top scorer with 23 points, while Josef also posted a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

AEK made 5 of 28 threes and 18 of 28 free throws. Doxa Lefkada made 23 of 36 two-pointers, scored 38 points in the paint and 16 on fast breaks, and collected 13 points off AEK turnovers.

Bartley (AEK)23

Harmon (Doxa Lefkada)17

Arsenopoulos (Doxa Lefkada)15

Josef (AEK)14

Robinson (Doxa Lefkada)13

Bartley (AEK)

23 points

Harmon (Doxa Lefkada)

17 points

Arsenopoulos (Doxa Lefkada)

15 points

Josef (AEK)

14 points

Robinson (Doxa Lefkada)

13 points

Data from the article text

Sakota's explanation

Dragan Sakota said AEK had developed a small-team mentality after two seasons of playing stronger sides and winning. He pointed to injuries and a thin rotation, saying the team had only one substitution available to make changes. Eight players received court time, and Gymnopoulos and Chartonas did not play at all. Sakota said Bartley had played the whole game while Ertel was only returning from injury and had not touched the ball until 13 November. He added that Williams was injured out of the blue.

“We are extremely disappointed with the situation that prevails.”

Sakota said that anyone who loved AEK and saw the situation would be in tears.

“Anyone who loves AEK and saw the situation would cry.”

What comes next

Sakota said the defeat would cost AEK in its next game and that the situation could only change with changes to the squad and with all players available. He said he wanted answers about how the minutes were shared. Doxa Lefkada, meanwhile, remains fifth in the table with a 3-4 record.