For almost three quarters, Maccabi Ellite Tel Aviv were on equal terms in Treviso with Benetton and even had a slight advantage over Ettore Mesina’s ream. But a 13-2 run at the end of the third and start of the fourth. put the hosts 69-60 up all the way to a 93-80 win, Maccabi’s first loss in the “Top 16”.

David Blatt surprised Messina at the start of the game & Maccabi led 10-3 and 12-5. Benetton came back and led 21-20 at the end of the first quarter. The Italian champions took a 31-24 lead in the second but although they lost Lewis through injury, Maccabi ran 10-3, took a 36-34 lead and at the half has a 45-41 advantage. Maccabi’s last lead was 58-56 before Tyus Edney took over. Edney was MVP with 24 pts, 4 rbds, 4 ass & 3 stls.

Nikola Vujcic was the top Maccabi player with 28 pts & 4 rbds.

Virtus Bologna suffered its third defeat in the “Top 16”, 73-93 to TAU in Vitoria.