History: This is the mythical result in which Maccabi defeated Varese in the memorable final of 1977 • Danny Abadia finished with a career record • Scottie Wilbkin went injured and did not score • Othello Hunter scored the victory basket 2 seconds to finish
Excellence in the game. Danny Abadia // Photo Archive: Alan Shiber
Maccabi Tel Aviv achieves a big win in Istanbul over Penerbahcha 77:78, from Othello Hunter's victory basket 2 seconds into the final. Maccabi wins in the mythical score 77:78. The result she defeated Varese in 1977 when she won the first European Cup.
The big Maccabi victory, which was achieved in a very home court, against a team that came in excellent momentum (6 wins in the last 7 games) and without a contribution from big star Scottie Wilbkin who played only 10 minutes and did not score points.
Danny Abadia finished with a career record (13 points) and was the team's leading scorer in the game in which Maccabi proved plenty of character, once again overcame an injury problem and cemented himself firmly at the top of the Euroleague.
Penerbakhce led throughout the first quarter and reached a 6 (17:23) lead. Coach Janis Spropoulos was surprised when he brought up Amara Stodmaier as a first-round substitute who had not played at all in the previous game.
In the second quarter, the game changed a lot thanks to Danny Abadia who got off the bench and gave big minutes (finished with 10 points the first half) including one big dunk on Gigi Datoma's face. Maccabi played regular and consistent, rising to 31:37 with Jackson finishing half with 12 points. Penerbahcha was able to respond and the half ended with a close 40:41 to Maccabi with both teams very high to 2 points (Maccabi 75, Penerbahcha 73).
At the opening half, there were quite a few problems for Maccabi. One of the two first-half outstanding players, Arkon Jackson, was injured immediately at the opening of the ankle, but after treatment returned to play. Abadia committed a fourth offense and went down to the bench and later Quincy Acey was injured in the ankle and did not return to play. Nevertheless, Maccabi continued to lead and with a 0: 7 run in the beginning of the fourth quarter increased to 63: 71.
Penerbahcha took advantage of Maccabi's defensive rebound and responded with a 1:10 run to rise to a 74:75 lead. Tyler Dorsey returned Maccabi to 75:76 - 40 seconds left. De Collo missed, but Dorsey lost the ball in stride. Four seconds into the end, Kostas Slukas scored twice from the line. Then came the end of Othello Hunter's big delivery by Angelo Caluyaru, and Maccabi comes out with a valuable win.