Pini qualified Maccabi Elektra to Top 16

Gershon and Drucker through the next round

19-12-2008 00:54

Maccabi Electra clinched a berth to the Top 16 and remained a contender for first place in Group A after downing Le Mans 73-87 on Thursday night.

Maccabi was in control throughout the game as it seemingly scored at will on the break and in transition. The visitors led by 9 by the end of the opening period and expanded it to 15 in the second period before settling for a 36-49 halftime advantage.

Maccabi upped it to 18 in the third quarter and Le Mans never got closer than a dozen the rest of the way.

The trio of Carlos Arroyo, Lior Eliyahu and Omri Casspi paced the winners with 19 points apiece. Arroyo added 7 assist, while Eliyahu grabbed 10 rebounds for his third consecutive double-double.

Marcus Brown added 14 for Maccabi, which improved to 5-3 and is tied for third place in the group with Cibona.

Brian Chase led Le Mans with 17 points, Dewarick Spencer added 14 and Alain Koffi and Maleye Ndoye posted 12 each. Koffi also had 11 rebounds as Le Mans became the only remaining winless team in the competition.