Hickman shines as Maccabi wins at Galatasaray

Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv pulled away with a 0-12 fourth-quarter run to beat Galatasaray Liv Hospital 84-90 on Thursday night in both teams’ Top 16 opener at Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall in Istanbul. The fourth quarter started with plenty of excitement and five lead changes, but Devin Smith and Yogev Ohayon each hit threes in the game-breaking run. Ricky Hickman scored a season-high 24 points for Maccabi and Ohayon added 15, while Smith and Alex Tyus each posted double doubles for the winners. Smith tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds, Tyus went for 12 points and 11 boards. Carlos Arroyo scored 19 for the hosts, who led by as many as 9 in the second quarter. Zoran Erceg scored 17, Ender Arslan 12 and Henry Domercant 11 in defeat.

First quarter: Visitors lead after high-scoring start

Maccabi went inside to Sofoklis Schortsanitis for the game’s first points. Erceg got the hosts on the scoreboard from the line. Sofo and Erceg remained their teams’ top options in the early going. Hickman heated up with a pair of baskets – the second thanks to Ohayon’s steal. Arroyo answered back with a three to make it 7-9. Smith sank a three and Hickman penetrated to make it 7-14. Malik Hairston kept the local fans cheering with a triple and Pops Mensah-Bonsu scored with a baby hook. Ohayon and Erceg traded threes before Tyus grabbed a missed David Blu three and put it in to keep Maccabi in control. Tyus scored over Pops to extend the lead to 8. Domercant sank a three over Tyus and Arroyo finished the quarter with another three to make it 23-25 after 10 minutes.

Second quarter: Hosts use 11-0 charge to take control

Hairston drove for a layup and a Galatasaray lead before Domercant added a basket in transition to cap an 11-0 charge. Joe Ingles, who had his layup blocked, recovered the ball and found Tyus for a slam. Arroyo and Hickman traded scores. Domercant stayed hot with a steal and layup. Arslan made it 35-29 with a triple midway through the quarter. Hairston left the game with a leg injury. After a TV timeout, Ingles flipped to Smith for a monster slam. Sinan Guler intercepted a poor Ohayon pass and went in for a layup. Arslan added 2 more from the line. Smith showed Maccabi’s fight with the ultimate bwin Euroleague Fantasy Challenge play – offensive rebound, score, foul drawn and free throw made. Arslan made his way to the basket for an easy layup at the other end. Guler gave the hosts their largest lead, 43-34, with a floater off the glass. A Guy Pnini jumper and Blu triple closed the gap. Arroyo rescued Galatasaray with a three to leave his team ahead 47-40 at the break.

Third quarter: Maccabi rallies back

Erceg scored inside to open the second half. Pnini responded with a three-pointer. Mensah-Bonsu and Schortsanitis each scored inside. Free throws by Pnini and Hickman carried Maccabi within 51-48. Arroyo, again, came to the Galatasaray rescue with a mid-range jumper. Blu split free throws and made it 53-49 midway through the quarter. Arroyo restored Galatasaray confidence with his fourth triple. Even though Ohayon matched him on the ensuing possession, Erceg sank a three, too. Tyus scored on the offensive glass, Mensah-Bonsu dunked. A three by Smith made it 61-57. Ohayon passed to Tyus behind him for a slam. Domercant scored over Ohayon, but Blu matched him with a long two-pointer. Domercant free throws and a Hickman layup kept things close, 65-63, through three quarter.

Fourth quarter: After 5 lead changes, 0-10 run paves the way for Tel Aviv

Tyrese Rice gave Maccabi its first lead of the second half with a big three. Arroyo, and then Arslan, connected from behind the arc to restore a Galatasaray cushion. An Ohayon jumper brought Maccabi to 71-70. Hickman sank a pull-up jumper to give his team a 1-point advantage with just over five minutes remaining. After a timeout Erceg countered with a three before Hickman drove and tied the score, 74-74. Pnini found Smith wide open for a three. The momentum went strongly to the visitors as Hickman sent a laser pass to Tyus for a slam and Ohayon connected from behind the arc to extend a 0-10 run. Arroyo left with an apparent knee injury. Pnini set up Ohayon for a layup and a double-digit lead. Cenk Akyol drained a three to make it 77-84 with 100 seconds to play, however Hickman connected on a triple. Arslan free throws and an Erceg layup gave Galatasaray hope. Blu split free throws with 46 seconds remaining, but Galatasaray failed to capitalize at the other end. An Akyol three made it 84-88 with 11 seconds remaining. Hickman free throws with 8 seconds left iced the game.