Union Olimpja Ljublana ran 32-19 in the final quarter and inflicted the first Euroleague loss of the season to Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv, 93-81.
Maccabi led 34-32 at half time but then the defense crumbled and the Slovenians scored 61 points in the second half and repeated their win from two years ago (81-76).
Without the injured Nikola Vujcic, Maccabi missed one of its most important players and those who tried to replace him, failed. Captain Gur Shelef made his Euroleague debut of the season at the start of the second half and Maccabi opebed a 51-42 lead and looked on the way to their sixth win. But then Olimpija scored 19 points to Maccabi’s 11 and by the end of the period Maccabi’s lead was one point (62-61).
Then came the final quarter which coach Pini Gershon and his players hope to forget as soon as possible. Boisa & Bazdaric scored from everywhere and opened a 69-64 lead. Two triplets by Derrick Sharp made it 73-70 but from then on it was Olimpija all the way. Maccabi’s best player Maceo Baston (17 pts, 10 rbds, 3 bsts), fouled out and there was no stopping the Slovenians.
The 93 pts scored by the winners were 22 above their season’s average. On the other hand the 81 p[ts by Maccabi were 22 under their average. Olompiha made 50% in 3 pts FG to Maaccbi 42. The hosts made 11 steals to Maccabi 5. MVP for the night was Vladimer Boisa with 28 pts in 59& FG & 4 rbds. Marino Bazdaric scored 22 pts in 77% FG.
Maccabi scorers: Jasikevicius 19 & 8 assists, Parker 18, Baston 17, Halperin 10, Sharp 6, Shelef 4, Green 4, Thomas 2, Kommatos 1.