Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Anadolu EFES 103-89 as Lonnie Walker starred in the victory to keep the yellow-and-blue in the Euroleague Play In race. With the win, Oded Katash’s team improved their record to 18-16 good for 11th place, just one victory out of the Play In spot in 10th.

Brice Dessert, Jordan Loyd and Nick Weiler-Babb all scored to open up the game for Anadolu EFES while Jimmy Clark, Lonnie Walker and Oshae Brissett responded for Maccabi Tel Aviv as the Turkish side took a one-point 25-24 lead after ten minutes of play. Rodrigue Beaubois had the hot hand to begin the second quarter while Loyd also scored, but points from Marcio Santos, Jaylen Hoard and Walker gave Oded Katash’s team a 49-44 lead at halftime.

Clark and Walker kept filling the basket with ease as the third quarter got underway while Roman Sorkin made his points count to go up 78-64 after thirty minutes. Ercan Osmani and Sehmus Hazer tried to keep Pablo Laso’s team hanging around but baskets from Tamir Blatt, Brissett, Hoard and Walker closed out the victory.

Walker scored 25 points, Clark scored 17 points and Hoard added 16 points in the win while Loyd scored 17 points and Dessert put in 16 points in the loss.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach Oded Katash talked about the win, “Even tough we were up at halftime, we spoke at halftime about playing the right way with the right body language and we made that happen in the second half I’m very proud of the guys. We feel good and we feel better as to how we have to win games. Even though our fans are at home and we are far from them we are playing for them, but we will be home soon. We will take this win and do what we have been doing the past six weeks.”

The game MVP Lonnie Walker discussed the victory, “Our chemistry as a team is great, we can all be authentic, genuine and transparent are all working together as we have to be better collectively and individually. I was being aggressive as the past few games I was far from myself as teams were doubling me, so I had to adjust to that aspect and making winning plays even if the bal isn’t going into the hoop, I can make the right reads and passes and trusting my teammates. I felt good going into the third quarter and i was able to light it up. Even when we were 3-10 I knew we would be here, we are playing to the best of our abilities when we play Maccabi basketball and we are dangerous team and everyone knows that.”

Jaylen Hoard spoke about the keys to victory, “Understanding the stakes for us and fighting for a play in spot, just coming out with a lot of energy, not just me but all of my teammates. Our chemistry and adversity together has been key after starting the season rough and all the experiences helped us to get to where we are now.”