PAOK defeats Bilbao in the first leg of the FIBA Europe Cup final

PAOK defeated Bilbao 79-73 in the first leg of the FIBA Europe Cup final held in Thessaloniki. Patrick Beverley led the winners with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Brein Tyree added 21 points. For Bilbao, Justin Jaworski scored 24 points and Darrun Hilliard contributed 19 points in the team's first loss in the competition after 15 consecutive victories. The second leg is scheduled for April 29 at the Bilbao Arena, where PAOK needs a win or a loss by fewer than 6 points to secure the title. The two teams previously met in last year's final, where Bilbao won the title. PAOK is seeking its third European trophy after winning the Saporta Cup in 1991 and the Korac Cup in 1994, while Bilbao aims for its second title.