UTENA (Basketball Champions League) - AEK and Utena ensured of a colossal match up in two weeks time after AEK escaped with just a one point victory, 78-77, in the opening leg of their Play-Off Qualifier on Wednesday night.

With the victory AEK became the first team to register an away win in the Play-Off Qualifiers, thanks in large part to Dusan Sakota's crunch time offensive rebound and put back with 16 seconds to play.

Holding on to a slim 1 point lead, Sakota came out of nowhere for the rebound, and flung the ball up to the hoop whilst getting fouled to the ground, scoring the basket and then knocking down the free throw to give AEK a four point cushion and end their drought.

Jamar Diggs, who was spectacular all game, knocked down a three at the buzzer to reduce the deficit to one and leave it all to play for in the second leg in Greece.

Mike Dixon led AEK with 15 points, 13 of which came in the second half, Donnie McGrath was big in the first half on his way to 14 and Sakota finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, 

The aforementioned Diggs stuffed the statsheet with an 18 point, 7 rebound and 8 assist line for Juventus Utena, whilst Sulskis added 17.

"It was a good game, we played good, we played bad, (it was) up and down," Diggs said after the game as he eagerly anticipates the second leg.

"I think we could have played better, but we're going to learn from our mistakes and hopefully go get a win in Athens.

"They're a great team, they played well, especially on the road here, but I think we can play better ourselves. Our first half wasn't so good,

"They made some big shots, the ball wasn't going our way but I think it's going to be a good battle in Athens."

It was a game of runs, with both sides almost spending the same amount of time leading. 

Juventus Utena took early control with a defensive focused first quarter as they held AEK to just nine points.

McGrath reeled off six straight points in the second period to get AEK right back into it, as they began to find their stride, leaving the score tied at 30 at halftime.

AEK caught fire in the third quarter to regain control of the game. They knocked down six threes in the period, with Mike Dixon knocking down three. 

It wasn't long before it was tied up in the fourth, and Utena took the lead, 62-61, for the first time in the second half with 7:30 to play.

More lead changes would follow setting up the dramatic finish and a hugely anticipated second leg in Greece in a fortnight.