Maccabi stuns CSKA in Moscow for first time since 2004

Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv grabbed its first victory at CSKA Moscow since 2004 with a 76-93 upset on the road on Friday, marking the hosts' worst home loss in more than six years. It was also Maccabi's first victory against CSKA in 10 tries since the 2014 Final Four semifinals. Yovel Zoosman collected 15 points and 6 rebounds while Johnny O'Bryant picked up 14 points and Alex Tyus chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks as Maccabi improved to 7-11. Nando De Colo totalled 16 points and 6 assists, Will Clyburn scored 16 more and Othello Hunter had 12 points and 9 rebounds, but it was not enough as CSKA dropped to 13-5 with its first loss at home this season.

CSKA was already up 5-4 when Daniel Hackett nailed a three-ball and De Colo had 4 points and an assist in an 11-0 surge to go up 16-4. Angelo Caloiaro ended the drought with a three-ball to start a 3-14 answer for Maccabi to move within 19-18. Corey Higgins and Kyle Hines came off the bench to score and help keep CSKA ahead 24-22 after 10 minutes. Maccabi did a good job getting out in transition, where Michael Roll scored twice and a DeAndre Kane hit a layup to go ahead 29-32. The gap widened thanks to back-to-back three-pointers from Zoosman and inside scores from Tyus on the way to a 41-46 score at the break. CSKA evened the score at 48-48 with a 7-2 start to the second half but O'Bryant had 4 points and Tyus blocked 3 shots in helping Maccabi pull ahead 48-54. CSKA would not go away, however, with Nikita Kurbanov and Andrey Vorontsevich both knocking down three-pointers to pull the hosts within 59-60. Maccabi remained resilient though and was up 62-64 after 30 minutes. John DiBartolomeo picked up 3 points in pushing the advantage to 62-67 before Hunter's tip-in finally got CSKA on the board nearly 3 minutes into the fourth quarter. DiBartolomeo followed with a three-ball and it was 64-74 with 6 minutes to play. Clyburn and Higgins both picked up baskets but Maccabi kept up its great energy and Caloiaro's breakaway layup increased the margin to 70-82 with 3 minutes to play. Clyburn answered with 4 points but Maccabi was not fazed and countered with 6 straight points to decide the game for good.

Last Maccabi victory

The last time Maccabi beat CSKA was in the 2014 EuroLeague Final Four when it came back from a 15-point deficit late in the third quarter to win 67-68 on Tyrese Rice’s basket with 5.5 seconds left to reach the championship game. Maccabi lost their next nine meetings until Friday.

Pivotal performer

The 20-year-old Yovel Zoosman made 6 of 6 shots in collecting a career-high 15 points and 6 rebounds to go along with 2 steals, 1 assist and 1 block for a personal-best 22 performance index rating. His previous high marks were 9 points, 4 rebounds and 11 PIR against FC Bayern Munich earlier this season.

Tyus moves up the blocked shot list

Alex Tyus picked up four blocked shots for 196 in his EuroLeague career, moving the Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv big man past Ioannis Bourousis's 194 and into a tie for third place on the all-time list with Kyle Hines.

Telling numbers

Maccabi turned the ball over just 7 times while hitting 35 of 47 (74.5%) from two-point range - breaking a club record for two-pointers.

Next games

CSKA's next game will be at home next Thursday against FC Bayern Munich in Round 19 in what is the second of five home games in a six-game stretch after having played 11 road games in its first 17 contests. Also on Thursday, Maccabi will take on FC Barcelona Lassa at home, where the team has won four of its last five games.