By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Leading for nearly the entire game, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv clinched the away win, 77-66, against Hapoel Yossi Avrahami Eilat Sunday night.
John DiBartolomeo banked in a season-high 15 points in the Winner League Regular Season Round 18 contest. Croatian center posted a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double. Scottie Wilbekin added 12 points. Angelo Caloiaro, Derrick Williams, and James Nunnally did not suit up in the first outing after the team parted ways with head coach Giannis Sfairopoulos.
The Yellows improved their domestic W-L tally to 10-6 heading to Thursday’s road game versus defending Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion Anadolu Efes. They sit 12th out of 18 teams, 1.5 games shy of the Playoffs zone, ahead of the Regular Season Round 27 fixture.
George Mason product Bryon Allen generated a game-high 20 points in the losing effort. Experienced point guard and former NBA player Toney Douglas followed with 16 points as his side fell to 7-10.
Elsewhere, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem upped its league-leading record to 11-5 taking down Hapoel Nofar Energy Galil Elyon, 81-65. Retin Obasohan got an 18-point, 11-assist double-double.
Amit Simhon fired 23 points as Hapoel B-Cure Haifa edged Bnei Ofek Dist Herzliya, 81-80, to move up to 9-7 and push the visitors down to 10-6.
JP Tokoto and James Young both put up 21 points leading Hapoel SP Tel Aviv past Maccabi Effie Capital Rishon LeZion, 77-62, and to a 9-7 W-L tally.
Round 18:
Hapoel Gilboa Galil – Hapoel U-NET Holon 74-81
Hapoel B-Cure Haifa – Bnei Ofek Dist Herzliya 81-80
Hapoel Altshulder Shaham Be’er Sheva – Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona 72-88
Maccabi Effie Capital Rishon LeZion – Hapoel SP Tel Aviv 62-77
Hapoel Yossi Avrahami Eilat – Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 66-77
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem – Hapoel Nofar Energy Galil Elyon 81-65
Photo Credit: Maccabi Tel Aviv BC Twitter