Greens survive stern Darussafaka challenge

Panathinaikos Athens held off visiting Darussafaka Dogus Istanbul 86-80 at Olympic Sports Center Athens on Friday night. Both teams now hold 5-4 records. Panathinaikos led by as many as 14 points in the second quarter, but Will Clyburn led Darussafaka’s rally and his long jumper gave the visitors their only lead of the second half, 76-77. But Ioannis Bourousis, Nick Calathes and Chris Singleton made plays down the stretch as Panathinaikos prevailed. Bourousis finished with 18 points, including a put-back with 11.6 seconds to go and then 2 free throws in the final seconds that sealed the deal. KC Rivers and Singleton scored 13 points apiece, Nikos Pappas 12 and Calathes collected 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in victory. Clyburn played entire 40 minutes, and paced Darussafaka with 26 points and 9 rebounds, Brad Wanamaker scored 19 and James Anderson 16 points in defeat.