Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv improved their record in the Euroleague Top 16 to 1-1 after defeating Crvena Zvezda 78-67 in Menora Mivtachim Arena. Randle led five players in double figures with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals, Schortsanitis added 15 points, Pargo had 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Ohayon managed the floor beautifully with 10 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds.
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By Amy Samin
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv improved their record in the Euroleague Top 16 to 1-1 after defeating Crvena Zvezda 78-67 in Menora Mivtachim Arena. Brian Randle led five players in double figures with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals, Sofo Schortsanitis added 15 points, Jeremy Pargo had 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Yogev Ohayon managed the floor beautifully with 10 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds.
Starters for Maccabi were Devin Smith, Brian Randle, Jeremy Pargo, Yogev Ohayon, and Sofo Schortsanitis. The Greek center was in top form as the game got underway, taking Maccabi to 5-0 in the first two minutes. The visitors were able to take the lead with a pair of three pointers, but Sofo and Pargo (off a steal and pass from Randle) put Maccabi back on top halfway through the period, 11-8. The Serbians managed to tie the score, but Ohayon and Tyus (with three buckets, including a perfectly timed alley oop from Pargo on the fast break for the slam) kept Maccabi in the lead as the period ended, 21-18.
Sylven Landesberg from the right and left corners and Randle with two buckets increased Maccabi’s lead to 29-24 after three and a half minutes. A defensive rebound and long pass by Smith to Randle for the dunk and a long two by Pargo made it 33-24 with four minutes left in the half. Crvena Zvezda woke up and, despite two great plays that led to points by Landesberg, were able to pull within four, 37-33 as the teams went into the halftime break.
The visitors opened strong in the third quarter and reclaimed the lead, 42-40 after two minutes, but five points by Ohayon and four from Randle put the hosts back on top, 49-46 halfway through the period. Crvena Zvezda showed signs of making a comeback, but Randle and Sofo with lots of hustle on defense and points at the other end kept Maccabi’s lead safe, 56-49 heading into the final period.
Smith scored from downtown, and Ohayon continued to run the game like clockwork, sending a long alley oop pass to Landesberg to make it 63-52 two and a half minutes into the fourth quarter. Randle and Pargo continued scoring for Maccabi, and Pargo and Ohayon dished out smooth assists to Randle (dunk) and Smith (reverse layup), respectively. More points from outside the arc by Smith dimmed the Red Star’s shine, and in the end Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv defeated Crvena Zvezda 78-67 in the second game of the Top 16.
