Greek Women's A1 19/2008 - Paleo Faliro 67, Panionos 57

Paleo Faliro (12-7) is determined to secure its place in the Greek Women's A1 playoffs. With only seven games left, they needed just two wins to assure themselves a .500 record in a Greek league of 14 teams - one of which has folded (Kastoria) and one of which is no longer competitive (Aris Holargos). They are one step closer to qualifying with a 67-57 win over visiting Panionos (9-10).

The box score is here.

The game was less close than the final score lets on. Paleo Faliro led 18-13 after the first quarter, expanded their lead to nine points at halftime (32-23) and to eighteen points at the third quarter (52-34). Panionios staged a slight comeback at the end...

...or maybe they didn't. It's very hard to tell. Women's basketball in Greece takes place in a vacuum. There are no game write-ups. There is no press coverage. There are no pictures. We have only box scores.

Paleo Faliro hit field goals at a 51 percent clip - oddly enough, they only attempted 51 baskets - whereas Panionos ould only hit 32 percent of their baskets. Panionos was generally outrebounded, but only turned the ball over 13 times compared to Paleo Faliro's 18. The problem is that having your opponent turn over the ball is only half the game - if you can't do anything with the basketball once you get it, it's meaningless. Both teams shot in the 60 percent range during free throws; I'm surprised a few players didn't get agressive and give away fouls.

Teana Miller was the player of the game with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Her teammate Karen Mourd scored 18 points and had 11 rebounds of her own. It almost makes Kristin Haynie's effort of 17 points, five rebounds and four assists look positively weak.

As for visiting Panionos, it looks like Sheri Sam must be playing somewhere else now. Pelag Papamichail led Panionos with 13 points and nine rebounds. Lindsey Wilson must have come over from Teo Vilnius to play for Panionos, and scored 13 points and had five assists. Wilson is not the small NAIA school in Kentucky but is a graduate of Iowa State in 2003. Katerina Deli added 11 points for the visitors. Tye'sha Fluker, who played for the Chicago Sky in 2008, only scored six points in 25 minutes but had eight rebounds.

I suspect that Greece will restore the monarchy before we find any game pics.