Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv’s debut EuroLeague season continues to impress, as the Israeli club dismantled Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 114–89 on Tuesday night at Arena 8888 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Led by coach Dimitris Itoudis, Hapoel extended its strong start to 8–2 while improving its league-best offense to an even higher gear. The team entered the game averaging 90.9 points per contest and surpassed that mark by 23, scoring at least 26 points in every quarter.
Elijah Bryant once again led the way. Following his standout performance against Dubai Basketball, the 30-year-old guard produced 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in 30 minutes. He shot 7-for-10 on two-pointers, hit one of two attempts from beyond the arc, and converted all seven of his free throws. His performance efficiency rating (PIR) of 39 was a career-high.
Bryant’s biggest impact came in the third quarter when Baskonia mounted a 2–11 run to narrow the deficit to 71–66. The Hapoel guard responded by scoring 9 of his team’s next 11 points, reestablishing a double-digit cushion and halting the Spanish side’s momentum.
Chris Jones added 15 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting night, while Antonio Blakeney matched that total. Vasilije Micic and Collin Malcolm scored 11 points each, and both Tyler Ennis and Dan Oturu reached double digits with 10 apiece. All 12 Hapoel players who stepped on the court scored, underlining the team’s offensive depth.
Hapoel’s efficiency was remarkable. The hosts shot 63.6% from inside the arc (28-for-44), 57.1% from three-point range (12-for-21), and 95.7% from the foul line (22-for-23). They also dominated the boards, winning the rebounding battle 33–19 and grabbing 12 offensive rebounds — well above their season average.
For Baskonia, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot led with 19 points, supported by Mamadi Diakite with 13 and Hamidou Diallo with 11. Despite shooting 75% on two-pointers, the visitors struggled from long distance (5-for-18) and failed to contain Hapoel’s pace in transition.
Itoudis’s side opened the double-round week with authority and will next face defending champion Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul on Thursday. Another offensive showing of this magnitude could cement Hapoel’s position among EuroLeague’s elite. Baskonia, now 3–7, travels to face Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv in search of a much-needed rebound.
