The reds completed a 13-point comeback to force overtime to which the yellows arrived locked and loaded securing their 25th win of the regular season. Scottie (18P, 6R & 5A) led three scorers in double digits
Coach Sfairopoulos’ starting five: Wilbekin, Zoosman, Kane, Cohen and Black. Hapoel took the early lead but Wilbekin tied the game (4:4). Wilbekin’s four-point play gave Maccabi its first lead of the night (9:10). An ugly incident involving in Hapoel’s fans spitting on DeAndre Kane resulted with Kane getting ejected, the reds missed their free throws and the crew in yellow and blue reacted strong with Scottie leading the yellow offense to a 14:23 lead at the end of the first quarter.
DeShaun Stephens led the reds in their comeback attempt as they came within a striking distance but Johnny and Roll reacted for Maccabi (24:30). Roll and John-Di were on fire sparking a 12:4 run to increase Maccabi’s lead to 30:42. Stephens was the last to score in the first half taking Maccabi’s lead down to 34:42.
Both sides traded blows at the beginning of the third quarter with Maccabi being the ones to end this bout on top as they keep their eight point lead (39:47). McNeil and Howell scored four unanswered points forcing coach Sfairopoulos to call for a timeout (43:47). Howell brought Hapoel to within a striking distance but Roll and Caloiaro answered with four points to keep the reds at bay (45:51). Douglas scored from deep but Tyus was reacted to give Maccabi the 48:53 lead with one period remaining.
Scottie and John-Di increased Maccabi’s lead again to 50:58, Hapoel tried to react with Stephens and McNeil but the squad of coach Sfairopoulos reacted with three triples scored by Roll and Zoosman to make it 54:67. McNeil and Green sparked another comeback attempt forcing coach Sfairopoulos to call for a timeout with the scoreboard showing 65:71 with 01:29 remaining in the game. Ginat and McNeil made it 69:71 with 35 seconds remaining in the game. The yellows turned the ball over with 21.4 seconds remaining in the game; Hapoel couldn’t score and the refs overturned their decision, giving Hapoel another chance to tie the game with 4.1 seconds remaining in the game. The reds eventually tied the game right at the buzzer to force the extra period (71:71).
John-Di and Caloiaro were on fire giving Maccabi the 71:77 lead two minutes into the overtime. Wilbekin kept his composure scoring his free throws to keep Maccabi ahead 74:81 with 01:39 remaining in game. John-Di and Avdija scored to secure the justified 76:85 away win.
