Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv overcame the cold Russian weather beating Zenit St. Petersburg 82:71 as part of the 14th fixture of the EuroLeague. The Yellow & Blue captured their fourth straight European win, improving their record to 10:4 on the season. Tyler Dorsey led the way with 17 points, Othello Hunter was excellent inside the paint, adding 15 and Elijah Bryant posted 12 points. Yovel Zoosman had a masterful performance tying career highs in assists and steals finishing the night with 9 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. On Thursday: Panathinaikos comes into Menorah Mivtachim Arena.
Maccabi opened the game with Scottie Wilbekin, Elijah Bryant, Yovel Zoosman, Quincy Acy, and Othello Hunter in the starting five. Hunter scored four straight points after a QuAcy three-pointer, as the visitors kept a minimal lead in the opening minutes. Byrant with two shots from behind the arc gave Maccabi a 15:10 advantage. However, Gustavo Ayon and Will Thomas helped turn it around for Zenit taking their first lead of the night with a 9:0 run, 15:19. Tyler Dorsey helped the Yellow & Blue came back through, tieing it at 21:21 after 10 minutes.
The second quarter didn't produce high-level basketball, as the period ended at a 10:9 score. Deni Avdija, Angelo Caloiaro, and Dorsey sparked a 7:0 stretch to put visitors up 28:24. However, the visitors couldn't find a bucket until the end of the first half. Ex Maccabi Colton Iverson and Ayon regained the lead for the Russians 28:30, as Hunter sank three straight free throws before the break to make it 31:30 at the half.
Hunter maintained his strong showing from the first half, scoring twice on a 6:0 Maccabi start, 37:30. Scottie Wilbekin's hit his first points, a three-pointer giving the visitors a double-digit advantage. The two Israeli youngsters Yovel Zoosman and Deni Avdija, extended the lead with excellent corporation on its way to 56:39. Caloiaro's three straight free throws made it a 20 point game, but a Thomas three that beat the buzzer made it 59:42, going into the final 10 minutes.
In the 4th quarter, Giannis Sfairopoulos's squad retained the significant advantage but took their foot off the pedal, letting Zenit cut down the lead from 12 to 6 that included a late 8:0 run in the final minute. However, Zenit ran out of time as the Yellow & Blue recorded their 4th straight EuroLeague win, 82:71.