Galatasaray destroys Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv 102-63 in Eurolegue

ISTANBUL

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Galatasaray Odeabank ended its historical five-game winless stint in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague against Maccabi Tel Aviv in emphatic fashion on Jan. 24 by pulling away to a 102-63 victory at home in Abdi İpekçi Arena. 

The result leaves both teams with 6-13 records, but Galatasaray also won the tiebreak between them as Maccabi won their previous game in Tel Aviv by just six points. 

Galatasaray broke its own club Euroleague records in its scoring total for a non-overtime game, in the winning margin of 39 points and in dishing 29 assists. 

Jon Diebler matched his career high by making six of seven three-pointers en route to 21 points to lead the winners, who made 12 of 20 attempts from downtown. 

Alex Tyus scored 16 of his 18 points after halftime, while Tibor Pleiss scored all 16 of his in the first half.

Vladimir Micov matched those 16 points and Blake Schilb had 10, while Sinan Güler dished a career-high 12 assists. 

Maccabi got 22 points from Andrew Goudelock and 12 from Sonny Weems. Goudelock hit 4 of 9 threes, while his teammates went 0 for 11. He and Weems shot 11 for 14 on two-pointers, while the rest of Maccabi went 11 for 33.

"In some games everything goes very well; tonight was one of them,” Galatasaray coach Ergin Ataman said after the match.

“We started the game as we planned. We constantly pressured the guards of the opponent to prevent them playing their regular game. We didn't give them easy shot opportunities by double teams. We played amazing on offense, having 29 assists. Tibor Pleiss played a wonderful game in the first half," Ataman added.