Musis Masterclass Powers Israel to OT Win
David Musis put on a show with 26 points and 19 rebounds, spearheading Israel's hard-fought 93-84 overtime victory against Greece at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket.
The contest at the A. Marchetti Sports Hall was a nail-biter throughout, with Greece clinging to a one-point lead at halftime (43-44) before Israel regained the advantage to enter the final period ahead by two (60-58).
Overtime proved to be the decisive factor, as Israel outscored Greece 16-7 in the extra session to seal the win. Despite shooting slightly worse from the field (31/78 to 33/80), Israel dominated the boards (50-40) and made crucial plays late. Aviv Aronov also poured in 30 points for Israel, while Greece's bench contributed 30 points in a resilient effort.
Alexandros Thomakos and Chrysostomos Chatzilamprou each recorded double-doubles for Greece with 16 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome Israel's late-game intensity.
This overtime triumph serves as a significant statement for Israel, showcasing their mettle in a high-stakes tournament encounter.