By Amy Samin

All in all, a good week. Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv’s 90-61 win over Euroleague newcomers Elan Chalon brought their record to 3-0. David Logan, one of five Maccabi players to score in double figures, led them all with 17 points. Shawn James had a fabulous game with 15 points, and Lior Eliyahu added 14. Devin Smith and Guy Pnini each contributed 11 points, while Yogev Ohayon had 8 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds.

Maccabi’s starting lineup included Devin Smith, Malcolm Thomas, Shawn James, Ricky Hickman and Yogev Ohayon. Smith started the game off with a smooth trey from the left wing, while James dominated on defense with blocks and rebounds. Chalon scored after two minutes of play, then took an 8-5 lead two minutes later. A putback dunk by Thomas and a mid-range jumper by James put Maccabi back on top 9-8 halfway through the period. Maccabi continued to play well at both ends of the court, going on a 19-4 run to wrap up the period, off points by Ohayon, Lior Eliyahu, James, and David Logan, who delivered from outside the arc. The period ended with Maccabi leading 24-12.

Maccabi continued to dominate in the second quarter, with points by team captain Guy Pnini and Smith, and a fast break layup by Logan that made it 31-15 after two minutes. Tough defense and good ball movement on offense kept Maccabi comfortable, and a three by Logan increased their lead to 36-18. James, who continued to shine, added six more in the paint, while multiple steals by Hickman kept the French rattled. A putback by Nik Caner-Medley ended the half with Maccabi leading 53-28.

James and Eliyahu dominated in the early minutes of the third quarter, with a bucket and a huge rejection by the former and two baskets in the paint by the latter. Three minutes into the period Maccabi led 59-38. Sheldon Williams scored for Chalon, but Logan responded by cutting through defenders like a hot knife through butter, making it 63-40. Ohayon and Smith delivered points from downtown, while Logan and Eliyahu scored off steals to make it 73-42 with three and a half minutes left in the period. Maccabi continued to benefit from their strong defense, and the quarter ended with the team from Tel Aviv leading 77-49.

The fourth quarter saw more of the same, with Logan and Caner-Medley adding more points from outside the arc while Pnini and Giorgi Shermadini added points in the paint. The game ended in an easy 90-61 victory for Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv over Elan Chalon, brining their Euroleague record to 3-0.

BOXSCORE

Maccabi: Logan 17 points, 3 rebounds; James 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 blocks; Eliyahu 14 points; Smith and Pnini 11 points each; Ohayon 8 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds; Caner-Medley 7 points; Shermadini 3 points, 5 rebounds; Hickman 2 points, 5 assists, 4 steals; Thomas 2 points, 4 rebounds.

Chalon: Williams and Rush 12 points each; Lang 9 points.