Maccabi Tel Aviv fell to Monaco 82-76 wasting a 31-point performance by Scottie Wilbekin as the yellow-and-blue lost their 8th Euroleague game in a row. Coming on the heels of a Derby defeat to Hapoel Tel Aviv earlier in the week, Maccabi looked to stop their slide, but it was not to be as Sasa Obradovic’s squad controlled the tempo throughout the entire 40 minutes to notch the victory.

Mike James with 12 points, was one of five Monaco players who scored in doubt digits, orchestrated the offense to perfection while helping his squad by also dishing out 13 assists to lead the way to the win and further put Maccabi continental campaign in a very precarious situation.

In addition to James, Donatas Motiejunas and Alpha Diallo each added 16 points while Dwayne Bacon chipped in with 11 points and Leo Westermann score 10 points in the win. Wilbekin led Maccabi with 31 points, Ante Zizic scored 10 points and derrick Williams added 9 points in the loss.

“I think our defense was not good in the second half and not like in the first half,” Maccabi Coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos explained after the game. “That is the reason that Monaco took the lead. We had some chances 3 minutes before the end, we had some good offenses, one fast break that we missed, I think we could so something better. We fight until the end and we didn’t succeed. We didn’t perform how we want, We have to discuss with the players how to handle the pressure and this is not our game.”

“You could see, the guys are really fighting and you could see the spirit of togetherness,” Obradovic said. “I’m happy about this first. We needed one big win to get the confidence and I think that is exactly what happened. We’ll see what the future brings.”

Maccabi’s Ante Zizic talked about the defeat, “It was a very tough game. First quarter we did an amazing job and we should keep the same focus and same energy but the second and third quarter they dominated us and we were chasing the score. The fourth quarter we showed some energy and toughness but it wasn’t enough.

Scottie Wilbekin also spoke about the loss, “I think we fought well, we tried to stay positive the whole game pick each other up. In that front we did a good job. Just little things we got to do a better job of.”

The game’s MVP Mike James reflected on the win, “We won and we’re making steps to get better every day. Winning is always a good thing, it makes you feel like you’re working and it’s paying off, so I’m happy with that.”

Derrick Williams opened the scoring with a layup and foul to get Maccabi Tel Aviv on the board while Monaco’s Paris Lee went from deep at the other end but Scottie Wilbekin drilled a triple while Keenan Evans took a no look pass in the paint from Kameron Taylor to give Ioannis Sfairopoulos’s squad a 8-3 lead midway through the first quarter. Donatas Motiejunas, Leo Westermann and Mike James put in points for Sasa Obradovic’s team, but Ante Zizic slammed the ball and Jake Cohen added points to give the yellow-and-blue a 15-13 lead after ten minutes of play.

Dwayne Bacon scored inside, Angelo Caloiaro came back for a 3-pointer in his head at the other end, Wilbekin added points and nailed a corner 3-ball as Maccabi stayed in front 23-20 with 6 minutes left in the second quarter. Williams put down a windmill dunkaro, Jalen Reynolds scored, Thomas answered at the other end as did Westermann with a pair from beyond the arc but Wilbekin finished off a nice passing play from downtown, however, Mike James also dialed up long distance to take a 35-33 advantage into halftime.

Evans began the third quarter with points from outside, Motiejunas and Zizic traded baskets, James scored a layup as did Bacon in transition to give Monaco a 44-40 lead midway through the period. Wilbekin for Maccabi and Motiejunas for the hosts scored, Williams chalked up another dunk, Lee went from deep as Evans responded but Donta Hall made sure to give Monaco a 56-51 lead after thirty minutes of action.

Alpha Diallo scored a trio of quick buckets to get the fourth quarter underway, Wilbekin scored on the inside and from the outside, James went from deep while Caloiaro responded with points in the paint but James with more points kept Monaco in front 67-62 with 5 minutes left in regulation time. Diallo drained a corner 3-pointer, Wilbekin did the same at the other end and added free throws, John Dibartolomeo scored a layup but a parade of trips to the charity stripe for Monaco gave them the 82-76 win.