Maccabi ends regular season on top with a 71:77 win over Naharya

Coach Sfairopoulos’ starting five: Wilbekin, Zoosman, Caloiaro, Cohen and Black. Maccabi started the game firing on all cylinders outscoring the hosts 11:0 forcing coach Alfasi to call for a timeout. Henry and Griffin reacted for Naharya who managed to stabilize their defense to stay close to the yellows (9:15). Both teams traded blows with the locals being the ones to capitalize but Tyus had the final say in the first quarter with a beautiful left hook shot making it 21:25 at the end of the first quarter.

Altit and Griffin sparked the hosts’ offensive rhythm as they took their first lead of the night (28:27), however the comeback was short lived as Johnny O’Bryant’s three-point play gave Maccabi the edge. The yellows hustled their way to a 30:36  lead forcing coach Alfasi to call for a timeout. Nesterenko and Allen made sure their team will remain close to the reigning champs at halftime (37:41).

Altit scores at the beginning of the third but Wilbekin and Cohen capitalized on the offensive end increasing Maccabi’s lead to 39:47. Black was the man for coach Sfairopoulos keeping the visitors’ ahead 46:52. Griffin tried to keep Naharya in the game but Black Cohen and Caloiaro completes an 11:0 run to make it 46:60. Griffin was the last to score in the third quarter as the scoreboard showed 48:63.

Altit and Misgav tried to spark the  Naharya offense but Maccabi had John-Di who kept both his composure and the yellows ahead 52:67. The hosts went on damage control hoping it’ll spark another comeback but Roll and John-Di made it 68:77 from which Naharya could not recover. Coach Alfasi subbed into the game the teams’s youngsters to allow a standing ovation to his players who completed their journey of survival. Tomer Cohen scored from deep for the locals to make it 71:77 at the end of the game as the yellows wins their 27th game of the season.