Nobody expected such a huge win. But Maccabi Elite Tel AQviv proved this evening that they are in the right mood to make the Euroleague Final Four once agaun with an impressive 90-59 win over Ulker SC Istanbul.
In the first half it was a different story. Ulker set the pace and at the end of the first quarter had a 25-22 lead. Parker made only 1 point and Vujcic none. Maccabi took its first lead (28-27) in the third minute of the second period and opened a gap of 36-29. But the Turks came back to 38-38 before Maccabi ended the first half leading 42-38.
Vujcic scored his first points at the start of the third which ended with Maccabi leading 62-51. The final quarter was one sided. The wonderful Saras was behind the 28-8 run, giving Maccabi a great win.
Maccabi played a very good defense and held Ulker 14 pts under their average. Ulker made 7 three pointers but only in 25%. Maccabi had also a poor outing from the perimeter with 27%. But Pini Gershon’s players had 67% in 2 pts shots and also had an advantage in rebounds – 36 to 29. They also made 17 steals & dished out 20 assists, 10 from Saras, the MVP for the night who also scored 21 pts.