Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a hard-fought 87-81 victory over Anadolu Efes, extending their winning streak to start their first EuroLeague season. Despite trailing at halftime, Hapoel delivered a strong second-half performance to clinch the win in what was an exciting contest.
The key to Hapoel’s victory was their impressive third-quarter comeback, where a 13-0 scoring run completely shifted the game’s momentum. Key players like Antonio Blakeney, Elijah Bryant, and Dan Oturu stepped up, with several former Efes players making a significant impact against their old team.
🌟 Key Players Shine for Both Teams
Antonio Blakeney led the scoring for Hapoel with 17 points, including 10 crucial points from the free-throw line. Former Efes players also played a big part, with Elijah Bryant contributing 15 points and Dan Oturu adding 12 points and nine rebounds. For Efes, Jordon Loyd had an outstanding game, scoring 25 points, while Ercan Osmani added 16.
🔄 A Tale of Two Halves
Efes controlled the first half and built a comfortable 46-35 lead by halftime, looking in a strong position to win. However, the game changed completely after the break. Hapoel came out with great energy, launching a 13-0 run to not only close the gap but also take the lead. This turnaround set the stage for an intense final quarter.
🏆 Hapoel Seals the Victory in the Final Minutes
The final quarter was a close battle, but Blakeney’s calm performance at the free-throw line proved decisive. He scored seven straight points from the line to give Hapoel a 78-67 lead, creating a gap that Efes struggled to close. The pressure also mounted on the Efes side, which saw their head coach, Igor Kokoskov, ejected from the game during the final minutes.
