BANDIRMA (Basketbol Şampiyonlar Ligi) - Banvit won for the third straight time and climbed to the top of Group C with a 78-71 triumph over AEK Athens.

Andy Rautins put on a blistering display from long range, drilling 7 of 8 attempts on his way to a game-high 23 points.

Banvit had plenty of offense on the night with Tony Taylor scoring 19 points and Adonis Thomas 18. 

Taking on an AEK side coached by Dragan Sakota, Banvit went in front by 13 points two minutes into the second quarter after a basket by Poland international Damian Kulig but AEK clawed their way back and only trailed 33-30 after a 9-0 run.

After again falling behind by double digits in the third quarter, AEK went on another run and closed the gap to 57-56 following a pair of Dusan Sakota free-throws.

The Greeks kept it close, however, didn't make enough plays to get over the hump.

Early in the fourth quarter, AEK only trailed 61-58 following a layup by Giannoulis Larentzakis. Taylor and Thomas hit jump shots and then Taylor added a laup to cap a 6-0 run and the hosts stayed on top the rest of the way.

Saso Filipovski, the Banvit coach, said: "It was a difficult game because AEK has a lot of experienced players and a very experienced coach. We had a very good start. We had difficulties with fouls, so our bench players gave us some help. They contributed and we had enough energy at the end to win this important game."