Maccabi traded blows with Los Blancos in a very close first half however the locals imposed their will in the second enroute of a 91:79 home win. Roll (23P, 4R, 5A & 3S) and Tyus (17P&8R) led the scorers in blue and yellow
Coach Sfairopoulos’ starting five: Wilbekin, Kane, Caloiaro, O’Bryant
and Tyus. Taylor scored from deep but Maccabi reacted with a 9:0 run (3:9). Ayon scored four points but Maccabi kept their composure on both ends of the floor having the 7:12 lead. Randolph’s three completed an 8:0 run for Madrid who took the 15:12 lead. O’Bryant and Roll kept Maccabi close to the locals at the end of the first quarter (21:19).Both teams traded blows at the beginning of the second quarter with neither one of the sides being able to capitalize (34:32). Roll scored from deep to keep the squad in blue and yellow within a striking distance (36:35). A beautiful orchestrated play by Maccabi resulted with a thunderous dunk by Tyus who gave Maccabi the 38:39 lead. Campazzo made both of his free throws to give his team the edge with just under a minute remaining in the first half. Roll scored from deep but Reyes had the final say in the second quarter as he tied the game (44:44) from the free throw line.
Madrid started the second half with a 9:2 run taking the 53:46 lead forcing coach Sfairopoulos to call for a timeout. Campazzo and Tavares increased the locals’ lead to 61:50. Roll and Tyus trimmed Los Blancos’ lead to single digits (66:60) forcing coach Laso to call for a timeout. Scottie had the final say in the third quarter with Maccabi trailing 69:62.
Kane scored from deep at the beginning of the fourth but Lull reacted for the locals who kept their
seven point lead (72:65). Los Blancos completed a 10:0 run, Ray scored for Maccabi but Fernandez answered from deep (85:69). Coach Sfairopoulos’ squad remained resolute as they completed an 8:0 run forcing coach Laso to call for a timeout (87:77). Los Blancos managed to keep their composure until the end as they secured the 91:79 home win.
