Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv was eliminated from the Eurocup competition after a 95-84 overtime loss to Nizhny Novgorod at Menora Mivtachim Arena. Mekel led Maccabi’s scorers with 21 points.
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By Amy Samin
Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv was eliminated from the Eurocup competition after a 95-84 overtime loss to Nizhny Novgorod at Menora Mivtachim Arena. Gal Mekel led Maccabi’s scorers with 21 points. Trevor Mbakwe added 13 points, Devin Smith scored 11 points, and Brian Randle contributed 10 points.
Starters for Maccabi were Devin Smith, Brian Randle, Sylven Landesberg, Gal Mekel, and Trevor Mbakwe. The start of the game was fairly even, with Maccabi holding a 9-7 lead after three minutes thanks mostly to Randle. A triple by Nizhny put the visitors on top 12-11, but Smith and Elijah Millsap soon put the yellows back in the lead. The Russians responded with three three pointers and ended the period 27-23 over Maccabi.
The second quarter started with great plays from Yogev Ohayon, Randle, and Mbakwe and a huge block by the center, putting Maccabi up 29-27 after two minutes. The lead changed hands multiple times, with Maccabi leading 36-35 halfway through the period. The visitors surged to a four point lead, which led Coach Tabak to call for a time out with three and a half minutes left in the half. Mekel and Ike Ofoegbu scored to tie the score at 41, but a quick run by Nizhny put the visitors up 47-41 going into the break.
The momentum stayed with the Russians as the second half got underway, and after two minutes their lead had grown to 54-45. Mekel cut the deficit to five, but Nizhny soon responded and took a double digit lead. Mekel continued to supply points, and together with Rochestie and Millsap put Maccabi within two 62-60 with two and a half minutes on the clock. Baskets on both sides left the score tied at 66 at the end of the third quarter.
Nizhny started the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run that took them to 73-66 after two and a half minutes. Maccabi had trouble finding the basket for several minutes, until a steal by Pnini and a layup by Smith. Pnini closed the gap to three, 75-72 with three minutes left, and Smith came through with two clutch threes that made it 81-79. Mekel tied things up from the foul line, 81-81, and the game went into overtime.
The visitors completely dominated the overtime period and claimed a 95-84 victory over Maccabi.
