By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda MTS Belgrade won the last four games against Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv, but tonight the Israeli team grabbed the victory with ease.
It was a one-sided affair as the hosts were in charge from start to finish on the way to the final 89-75.
The Key: Run, run, run. Maccabi outran the visitors nailing 15 points in transition while Zvezda scored only two in the open court.
The hosts were well prepared as they locked their paint and build a seven-point lead after just four minutes (12-5) forcing Dusan Alimpijevic to call a timeout early in the game. That didn’t turn things around as Maccabi was up 23-17 after the first period. At the start of the second quarter James Feldeine twisted his ankle. He had to leave the court, he went to the locker room and didn’t play after that.
Without one of their most important players, Zvezda couldn’t keep up with a Maccabi’s high-pace game as the hosts were up 47-29 after the first half.
Zvezda pushed for a comeback in the third quarter. They completely changed their approach to the game and with Taylor Rochestie nailing a long two, the visiting squad cut the deficit to seven points (57-50).
However, with Pierre Jackson and John DiBartolomeo scoring back-to-back triples, Maccabi closed the game with style.
The Star: Jackson caught the fire in the third quarter scoring eight points in that period. He had game-highs with 22 points adding 5 assists as well.
Not enough: Rochestie was close to a double-double with 10 points and 8 assists, but that wasn’t enough tonight.
With this win, Maccabi jumped to a 10-9 record while Zvezda falls to a 7-12.
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