PAOK and Kolossos Rhodes, both battling to survive in the top-tier basketball competition, the A1 league, won crucial games last night against Panellinios and Aegaleo respectively.

PAOK defeated visiting Panellinios 62-58. Kolossos, also at home, overcame Aegaleo 92-89.

Relegation-threatened Rethymnon suffered a 70-59 home defeat against Aris. Kolossos’s victory against Aegaleo, combined with Rethymnon’s loss against Aris, leaves the two sides tied at the league’s lower end with two rounds to go.

Front-runner and defending champion Panathinaikos held on to its narrow lead over Olympiakos with an 84-74 home win over Panionios. Challenger Olympiakos, with Sofoklis Schortsanitis back in action after a lengthy break due to weight problems, beat Larissa 84-52.