Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul held off a furious second-half rally from Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv to claim an 84–75 victory at Munich’s SAP Garden on Tuesday night, improving to 5–5 in the EuroLeague.
Wade Baldwin IV led the way with 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists, steering the Turkish club through tense final minutes. His calm play under pressure helped Fenerbahce maintain its composure after nearly surrendering a 20-point advantage.
The opening half was defined by defense. Fenerbahce’s physical approach slowed Maccabi, the EuroLeague’s second-highest-scoring team at 90.7 points per game, holding them to only 30 points before halftime. That effort built a 40–30 lead, setting the tone for what looked like a comfortable night.
However, Maccabi stormed back after the break, turning offensive rebounding into a weapon. The Israeli side collected 20 offensive boards and 38 total rebounds, capitalizing on second-chance points to narrow the gap and even take a brief lead in the fourth quarter.
When Maccabi closed in, Devon Hall stepped up. The guard drained three key triples in the third quarter and finished with 15 points and six rebounds. Talen Horton-Tucker added 13 points, while Nicolo Melli and Bonzie Colson combined for 20 points off efficient shooting.
Fenerbahce’s 90.9% accuracy from the free-throw line proved vital, as Maccabi struggled to convert from distance, shooting just 4-for-23 (17.4%) beyond the arc. The Turkish side’s balance and execution in the closing minutes sealed the outcome.
For Maccabi, Roman Sorkin led with 22 points and eight rebounds, while Jaylen Hoard produced a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Jimmy Clark III contributed with hustle plays and defense, but the team’s shooting woes ultimately undermined the comeback bid.
Fenerbahce will try to build on the victory when it hosts league leader Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv on Thursday. Maccabi, now 2–8, returns home to face Baskonia in Round 11, hoping to snap its skid and regain rhythm in the second game of the double-round week.
