Akasvayu Girona survived one of their biggest tests on Tuesday with an excellent fourth quarter to beat Panionios 76-68.

Panionios only just did edge Lokomotiv Rostov in the Round II group standings to advance to the last eight, but they looked determined to make the most of the opportunity.

The game was knotted at 59-59 at the end of the third quarter, and the visitors from Greece were showing no signs of giving in against a team that has yet to lose in the EuroCup.

But the first minute of the final period saw Akasvayu take control.

And veteran guard Ariel McDonald proved at 35 years of age he has not lost much sharpness in his game.

McDonald's three-pointer broke the tie, and started an 8-0 run that lasted less than a minute to give Akasvayu the lead for good.

Fernando San Emeterio, who had that incredible 39-point game against Dijon in Round II when he made 10 of 11 attempts from the arc, followed with a lay-up after an assist by McDonald.

German Gabriel then struck from long range.

Panionios, who had looked so dangerous for three quarters behind the steady play of Andre Hutson and Kennedy Winston, suddenly trailed by eight.

Panionios did their best to fight back but points were scarce over the next five minutes for both teams.

Girona, in fact, didn't score for a long stretch after their big run.

A Hutson jumper closed the gap to 67-63 with 4:46 to go, but Akasvayu finally added points to their score 24 seconds later, replying through Gregor Fucka whose basket stretched the lead back to six.

Marko Marinovic, the Girona club's Serbian international, followed with a three-pointer and Panionios never recovered.

Fucka had 13 points and Gabriel 10 for Akasvayu, who were 19 of 37 (51.3%) inside the arc and six of 13 (46.1%) beyond it.

Panionios got 22 points from Hutson and 16 from Winston.