A 30-18 run in the final period, this evening saved Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv a lot of embarrassment and ensured their second Euroleague win of the season 83-74.
Maccabi were 26-41 down with less than two minutes to half time in one of the worst halves in their history at home. Maccabi scored their first points after 4:30 with Cibona leading 9-0. At the end of the first quarter 17-13 for the Croats which was increased to 15 points and at half tome 43-32. Only Jamie Arnold played well in the first 20 minutes with 11 pts & 5 rbds.
The Euroleague Champions opened the second half with a 13-2 run and took its first lead 49-48 from a basket by Parker, six minutes into the third quarter. But by the end of the period Cibona were still leading 56-53. Solomon made it 62-62 and then came the magic moments of Derrick Sharp. In less than 4 minutes he connected with three 3 pointers. With two minutes to go and Maccabi leading 76-68, Parker fouled out but Maccabbi players made sure of the win from the free throws line.
Both teams had 43% in FG bur Maccabi made 44% for 3 pts to 33% by the visitors which had a slight advantage in rebounding (39-37) whilst Maccabi made 17 assists to Cibona 12.
The injured Maceo Baston played only 6 minutes and Yaniv Green did not play at all because of his injury. Sharp was the hero but two of the newcomers had a good evening. Arnold played 29 minutes and scored 20 pts and pulled down 7 rbds. Will Solomon played 36 minutes, scored 20 pts, pulled down 5 rbds & dished out 3 assists. After a poor start, Anthony Parker recovered well to finish with 17 pts, 8 rbds & 4 assists.
Other Maccabi scorers: Sharp 13, Vujcic 7, Burstein 4, Shason 2. Penney did not score.
As usual, Scoony Penn had a great game against Maccabi with 25 pts, 4 rbds & 3 assists. Other leading players for Cibona: Markota 13, Davison 10 pts & 10 rbds & Kus 10 pts.