After an excellent derby that took place in Avgorou, the Youth Union of Paralimni managed to get the victory, prevailing over ETHA with 76-61, in a match that took place in the 14th game of the Basket League.
In a statement, the Cyprus Basketball Federation states that the game was largely balanced, with both teams giving their all until the end for a positive result.
With this victory, ENP climbed to 3rd place in the standings, reaching 19 points (7 wins - 5 losses), while ETHA remained in 4th place, reaching 18 points (6 wins - 6 losses). The leader of the match was Anthony Hickey who scored 29 points (2 three-pointers, 9 rebounds, 2 assists).
The game started in a balanced way, with the score being 4-4 after two minutes of play. Then ENP scored eight points (from one three-pointer Adwood-Hickey, two Papadopoulos) and took the lead with 12-4 at 4:30.
The "purple" brought the difference to twelve, two and a half minutes later (18-6). At the end of the season, the hosts were ahead of the score with 20-10.
By 12:30 ETHA scored ten points, while conceding four, reducing to 24-20. Hickey then made it 26-20, to be followed by another seven points for ETHA (out of two by Panagiotou, Hollimon, Brooks, one by Johnson) taking a 27-26 lead in 16 '.
The score remained at very small levels of difference, with the two teams being tied 30-30 in 19 '. In the last minute of the half, the hosts were concentrated and managed to score seven points, while they conceded two, with the score leading to 37-32.
ETHA started stronger in the third ten minutes, managing to equalize at 22-30 by 40:40. Then we saw a more balanced game with the two teams being tied at 42-42 and 44-44, until 26 '.
The "purple" in the next minute scored five points with Hickey and took the lead with 49-44, to answer for ETHA Panagiotou and Hollimon with four points, reducing to 49-48.
Until the final of the season, ENP scored six points while conceding one, managing to take the lead again with a difference of six points (55-49).
By 31:30 the Union brought the difference to eight points (59-51), with ETHA reducing by four points (two Johnson, one by Witche-Hollimon) to 59-55 until 33 '.
The hosts responded with a three-pointer (64-55), with the reaction of ETH being immediate, with the "yellow-blacks" scoring twelve points (eleven Hollymon, one Johnson), until 36:10 and taking the lead with 67 -64.
The hosts then responded with six points (out of two Pyrillis, Papadopoulos and Hickey) bringing the score to 70-67 in their favor. By 39:15 the two teams scored by two points (72-69), while with the final of the match ENP took the victory with a final score of 76-71.