Hapoel Tel Aviv knocked off Panathinaikos 91-81 to improve to 4-2 and send the Greeks to their first loss off the season fear starting the campaign 5-0. Dan Oturu started with 10 points to help the visitors to an early lead as Sylvain Francisco answered at the other but the Reds grabbed a 29-25 lead after 10 minutes of play.

After a back and forth second quarter Hapoel still maintained the advantage 48-46 at halftime. Elijah Bryant started to score to bump the lead up to 68-61 after thirty minutes of action, but a 11-0 run by Panathinaikos put the hosts in front 72-71 as time wound down, however, triples by Bryant and Vasilije Micic closed out the win.

LeDay scored 17 points, Bryant had 12 of his 14 points in the second half and Oturu added 13 points in the win while Sylvain Francisco scored 22 points

Head coach Dimitris Itoudis spoke about the victory, “We had a clear idea of being composed and having trust and belief from the beginning until the end. I am happy that after the second double week we managed to have four wins. Though we don’t have a short memory we are also the team that lost the opening game against Bayern. I am happy because we are getting wins in different ways and that shows that we have the length and depth.”

Zach LeDay reflected on the win, “It took every minute, we fought and we stayed together. We didn’t quit and weathered the storm when they went on a run. We kept our minds calm and at the end of the day we trusted each other. Once we do that and play defense we can be one of the best teams in Europe. Today is why I came to Hapoel, to compete with great people, great players, some of the top in Europe. To prove I am at the top of my position and most importantly to win big games like this.”