Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv delivered one of its most complete performances of the season Tuesday, defeating defending champion Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 90-75 at Arena 8888 Sofia and strengthening its push toward the EuroLeague postseason.
The victory improved Hapoel to 22-13, keeping Dimitris Itoudis’s team firmly in the race near the top of the standings with two rounds remaining and a postponed matchup against Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv still on the schedule.
The foundation of the win was built in the first half, where Hapoel executed efficiently on both ends and controlled the tempo from the opening minutes.
Vasilije Micic set the tone with an aggressive approach early, scoring 14 first-half points and drawing six fouls while directing the offense. Elijah Bryant complemented him with a dominant stretch, reaching halftime with 17 points on 6-of-9 two-point shooting and a perfect 5-of-5 mark from the free-throw line.
Bryant also contributed four rebounds and forced multiple defensive breakdowns, creating space for Hapoel’s perimeter attack.
Antonio Blakeney added a spark off the bench with eight first-half points, while the defense focused on limiting one of Fenerbahce’s primary scoring threats.
Talen Horton-Tucker was held scoreless in the opening half after missing all seven field-goal attempts. Ish Wainright took the primary defensive assignment, while Dan Oturu also guarded him in isolation possessions.
Fenerbahce struggled to find consistent rhythm offensively during that stretch, committing nine first-half turnovers.
Wade Baldwin IV kept the visitors within reach before halftime, scoring 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
Hapoel regained full control in the third quarter by diversifying its offense and maintaining defensive pressure.
Oturu dominated inside during that stretch, scoring 13 of his game-high 23 points in the third period while converting 9 of his 11 attempts inside the arc.
Blakeney delivered a key momentum moment at the end of the quarter, knocking down a buzzer-beater that pushed the margin to 75-56 entering the final period.
The fourth quarter turned into game management for the hosts as the lead remained in double digits.
Bryant finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals in an all-around performance, while Micic added 19 points and four assists. Blakeney contributed 17 points off the bench.
Hapoel also secured the head-to-head tiebreaker against Fenerbahce, which had won the first meeting 74-68 earlier in the season.
The result leaves Hapoel in position to challenge for the top of the regular-season standings when it hosts Olympiacos Piraeus in Round 37. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, has dropped six of its last seven games and will try to respond at home against Real Madrid.
