Israeli champs squander lead in 4th, lose 77-75 after Rannikko scores with one second to go.
By JPOST.COM STAFFnikola vujcic 298.88(photo credit: Euroleague photos)
Maccabi Tel Aviv demonstrated once again on Thursday night that it will have to work very hard to even reach the final 16 after a stunning 77-75 loss to Union Olimpija in Ljubljana. Teemu Rannikko, who several weeks ago was a candidate to join Maccabi, scored the winner with one second in regulation.
Maccabi led by double figures in the first half and was up 42-32 in halftime. It was Rannikko and Manu Markoishvili who delivered the goods down the stretch to lead a14-0 fourth quarter run.
Maccabi fought back and Nikola Vujcic tied the game with 17 seconds on the clock but Rannikko made sure the home team comes out on top.
Maccabi dropped to 7-6 and missed a golden opportunity to seal up second place in Group B. The Israeli champs fell to 1-6 on the road this season.
Captain Derrick Sharp led Maccabi with 18, Vujcic had 13 points, 11 rebounds and 4
assists, Lior Eliyahu added 12 and Simas Jasaitas scored 9 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
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