By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes Istanbul used its offensive assets and took down Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv with 92-72 on the road.
Velimir Perasovic‘s squad, that desperately needed this win, improved to a 2-5 record, while Maccabi now stands at 4-3.
Turning point: Errick McCollum restored Efes‘ double-digit lead with a pair of free throws and then a long-range shot (81-70), and since then the hosts never threatened the Turkish side until the end. Not only that, but the margin was broadened even more (+20 points).
The star: Who else, Errick McCollum! With an incredible 80% from the 3-point line (8/10) and 31 points scored overall, along with three assists, he led Efes to this important road victory in Tel Aviv, reaching a career high!
The game: Both sides struggled to gain control in the opening period, though Maccabi definitely seemed energetic on the defending end. Still, after 10′ the score was tied to 19 points.
McCollum set the game on fire, as Efes enjoyed a 9-0 run in the beginning of the second period. Stimac pushed the visitors’ lead to 10 points (34-24), who never looked back and led 47-35 at halftime.
Pierre Jackson helped Maccabi cover some ground in the third period, followed by Alex Tyus who trimmed the score to 55-48 at 24′. After 30 minutes in the game, the visitors were still in charge with 67-61.