Commanding First Half Performance Sets the Tone
Aris TT Bank snapped their three-game losing streak with an 85-78 victory over Idea Slask in Round 6 of EuroCup action before 2,295 fans in Thessaloniki. The Greek side dominated the opening quarter, racing to a 21-6 lead that would prove decisive despite a furious fourth-quarter rally from the Polish visitors.
The home team's fast start was everything they needed after enduring difficult losses to Hapoel Jerusalem, BAXI Manresa, and Union Olimpija Ljubljana in their previous outings. Aris extended their advantage to 50-30 by halftime, building a commanding 20-point cushion that gave them breathing room for the challenging moments that would follow.
Bryce Jones Leads the Charge
Bryce Jones delivered a masterclass performance for Aris, finishing with a game-high 28 points and an impressive efficiency rating of 37. The American guard was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, converting 17 of 18 attempts while adding five assists and two rebounds. His ability to get to the line and convert under pressure proved crucial, especially as Slask mounted their comeback attempt in the final period.
Jones received excellent support from Arnoldas Kulboka, who contributed 20 points on efficient 5-of-9 shooting from the field. The Lithuanian forward was particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting four three-pointers and going perfect from the charity stripe with six made free throws. Kulboka also grabbed seven rebounds and added a steal and a block, posting an efficiency rating of 29.
Balanced Scoring Effort
Bryn Forbes provided valuable minutes off the bench, chipping in 12 points including seven made free throws. While his three-point shooting was off, connecting on just one of nine attempts, Forbes's ability to draw fouls and convert from the line kept Aris ahead during critical stretches. Ronnie Harrell added six points and six rebounds, while Jakob Dwight Forester contributed four points, three rebounds, and two blocks in his 15 minutes of action.
The playmaking duties were handled capably by Elijah Mitrou-Long, who despite not scoring, dished out five assists and grabbed four rebounds while maintaining a plus-minus of +16, the highest differential among players who didn't reach double figures in scoring.
Slask's Valiant Fourth Quarter Surge
The visitors from Wroclaw refused to surrender despite trailing by significant margins through three quarters. Idea Slask exploded for 34 points in the fourth quarter, more than doubling their output from any previous period. This remarkable rally cut what had been a comfortable lead down to just seven points at the final buzzer, but it ultimately came too late to change the outcome.
Issuf Sanon led Slask's scoring with an efficient 20-point performance off the bench, shooting 7-of-10 from the field including 2-of-4 from three-point range. The Ukrainian guard's plus-minus of +1 reflected his positive impact during his time on court, and his ability to attack the basket and convert from the line kept Slask within striking distance.
Gray and Kirkwood Battle Through Adversity
Kadre Gray contributed 14 points and five assists for the Polish side, though his shooting efficiency suffered as he connected on just 4 of 15 field goal attempts. The Canadian guard drew five fouls and converted six of eight free throws while logging nearly 25 minutes of action. His backcourt partner Noah Kirkwood added 10 points, three rebounds, and two assists, though he also struggled with efficiency, shooting just 3-of-10 from the field.
The loss was particularly frustrating for Slask given their recent form, having dropped three of their last four games. Their inability to establish any rhythm in the first half proved fatal, as the 21-6 opening quarter left them constantly playing catch-up throughout the contest.
Interior Battle and Rebounding
Jakub Urbaniak provided solid work on the glass for Slask, securing 11 rebounds including six on the offensive end to go with nine points. The Polish big man's effort gave his team second-chance opportunities, though his 3-of-11 shooting reflected the overall struggles Slask faced finishing around the basket in the first three quarters.
Jared Coleman-Jones grabbed six rebounds with four coming on the offensive glass, but managed just two points on 1-of-5 shooting. Stefan Dordevic provided energy off the bench with three steals and a block, adding six points and three offensive rebounds, though his 0-for-4 performance from the free-throw line exemplified some of Slask's execution issues.
Bench Contributions Make the Difference
For Aris, Eleftherios Bochoridis provided steady minutes with five points, three rebounds, and two assists over 17 minutes of play. Aleksandre Merkviladze chipped in three points and two rebounds, while Stylianos Poulianitis added a three-pointer during his 15 minutes on court.
Blazej Kulikowski was effective for Slask off the bench, hitting three of four three-point attempts to finish with nine points. His shooting touch in the fourth quarter helped fuel the comeback attempt, though Blazej Czerniewicz struggled with turnovers and managed just four points on 2-of-7 shooting.
Defensive Adjustments and Tactical Battles
The game was officiated by Eduard Udyanskyy, Adar Peer, and Kerem Baki, who called a total of 49 fouls between the two teams. The physical nature of the contest was evident in the free-throw attempts, with Aris converting 36 of 40 from the charity stripe compared to Slask's 20 of 28. This 16-point advantage from the free-throw line ultimately represented the margin of victory and more, highlighting Aris's ability to draw contact and convert under pressure.
Aris's defensive intensity in the opening quarter, holding Slask to just six points, set the template for their eventual victory. While they couldn't maintain that same level throughout the game, the cushion built early proved sufficient to withstand the late surge.
Looking Forward
The victory moves Aris TT Bank back into the win column after three consecutive defeats and provides crucial momentum as the EuroCup regular season continues. The performance of Bryce Jones and Arnoldas Kulboka gives the Greek club a reliable scoring tandem to build around, while the return to winning form at home will be vital for their confidence.
For Idea Slask, the loss extends their difficult stretch to three defeats in four games. However, their fourth-quarter performance demonstrated the fighting spirit that could serve them well in future contests. If they can find a way to start games with the same intensity they showed in closing this one, better results should follow. The Polish side will need improved shooting efficiency and better defensive execution in the early stages of games to turn their season around.
