Oion Ag. Stefanoy secured a narrow 72-70 road win over AO Ekalis in the Greece Basketball Cup on September 15, 2026, holding off a late comeback attempt to advance in the competition.

Match overview

This was a defensive grind from the opening tip, with both teams struggling to find consistent offensive rhythm. Oion Ag. Stefanoy held a slim lead for much of the game, but AO Ekalis stayed within striking distance and threatened to steal the win in the final minute. The visitors’ composure at the free-throw line ultimately proved decisive.

• Q1: AO Ekalis 17, Oion Ag. Stefanoy 16
• Q2: AO Ekalis 18, Oion Ag. Stefanoy 20
• Q3: AO Ekalis 19, Oion Ag. Stefanoy 18
• Q4: AO Ekalis 16, Oion Ag. Stefanoy 18
• Final: AO Ekalis 70, Oion Ag. Stefanoy 72

Key moments

With 1:30 left, Oion Ag. Stefanoy held a 70-66 lead, but AO Ekalis scored quickly to cut the deficit to two. Oion’s Dimitris Rallis then made two clutch free throws with 12 seconds remaining to push the lead back to four. Ekalis answered with a driving layup to make it 72-70, but Oion ran out the clock and forced a desperate final heave that missed the target.

Tactical story

Both teams prioritized half-court defense, making every basket difficult. Oion Ag. Stefanoy used a patient motion offense and relied on Rallis to create shots late in the clock. AO Ekalis attacked the offensive glass and generated second-chance opportunities, but they turned the ball over at critical moments. Oion’s ability to protect the ball in the final two minutes was the difference in a game that featured 12 lead changes.

Standout players

Dimitris Rallis led Oion Ag. Stefanoy with 18 points, including the decisive free throws. Petros Koutsou added 14 points and 9 rebounds, anchoring the interior defense. For AO Ekalis, Manolis Vlachos had a strong performance with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Nikos Theodorou contributed 13 points.

What it means

The win moves Oion Ag. Stefanoy into the next round of the Greece Basketball Cup, where they will look to carry their late-game poise forward. AO Ekalis exit with a painful two-point loss, but their fight until the final buzzer showed character. Oion’s defense and clutch free-throw shooting were the deciding factors in a classic cup tie.