Coach Spahija’s starting five: Pargo, Zoosman, Roll, Cohen and Black. Roll was the first to score for the squad in blue and yellow but Rishon took the early 4:10 lead. Pargo and Kane scored seven points to bring Maccabi closer to within a striking distance (13:11). Rishon completed a 10:0 to take 14:23 lead. Wilbekin found Caloiaro for a corner three and then added a mid-post jumper to trim Rishon’s lead to 16:23. Rishon had the final say in the first quarter as they took the 18:28 lead.

Blazer increased the oranges’ lead to 18:29 but Wilbekin and Cohen reacted with six points trimming Rishon’s lead to 24:29. Spahija’s squad applied pressure time and again resulting in four quick points forcing coach Sherf to call for a timeout with his team’s lead almost completely gone (28:29). Kane’s hustle secured a three point play but Koulechov’s three pointer kept Rishon ahead 33:36. Scottie and Tarik gave Maccabi the edge but Rishon’s efficiency from distance continued as they had the 41:42 edge at halftime.

Segev and Long increased Rishon’s lead to 41:46 at the beginning of the third quarter forcing coach Spahija to call for a timeout, Paro and Tyus kept Maccabi in the game (45:50). Long scored four for the oranges’ but Caloiaro, Roll and Zoosman made threepeat trifecta to take the 56:54 lead. Wright and Roll traded blows from distance, Stephens joined thethree point party giving Rishon the 61:62 lead but Wilbekin’s beautiful dish to Tyus made sure Spahija’s squad will have the 63:62 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Rishon opened the fourth quarter with a 7:0 run (63:69) forcing coach Spahija to call for a timeout. Stephens scored for Rishon but Zoosman reacted with a three point play (66:71). Wright increased Rishon’s lead to 66:73 but Maccabi answered with a 9:0 run to take the 75:73 lead. Long completed a 10:0 run capitalizing on coach Spahija’s ejection (75:83) with less than two minutes remaining in the game. Black scored but Koulechov’s three pointer secured the 77:86 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv.