Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv got back into its winning ways with a win against Holon on the road as they captured the first place in the standings. Cohen (19P and 6R) finished with MVP honors, Jackson had 17P 3R and 8A) Tyus added 16P and 10R
Maccabi got back into winning ways against Holon as they also captured the first place in the standings with an 18:8 record. The visitors got the early lead however Holon reacted as they had a two point lead at half time. Maccabi took control in the fourth and despite Holon’s comeback attempt Maccabi kept its composure enroute of an 82:86 win.
Coach Spahija’s starting five: Tyus, Thomas, Kane, Cole and John-Di. Both teams struggled to score at the beginning with the visitors being the first to capitalize as they got the early 0:5 lead, Jordan Hamilton reacted for Holon with seven points giving the locals the 7:5 lead. Holloway increased Holon’s lead to 11:7, but Thomas reacted from distance (11:10) with four minutes remaining in the first quarter. Cohen gave the lead to Maccabi, but Holon managed to capitalize again. Jackson scored with the buzzer as Maccabi trailed 22:20 after 10 minutes of basketball.
Holon opened the second quarter with a 5:0 run (27:20) forcing Coach Spahija to call for a timeout. Hamilton and Roll exchanged threes (30:25) two and a half minutes into the second quarter. The visitors completed their comeback after Jackson scored back to back threes (34:35). Holon took back the lead but Maccabi capitalized again with Kane and Tyus (39:40). Hamilton and Holloway scored from distance as Holon took the 48:43 lead, but this time it was Pierre, Roll and Tyus who kept Maccabi in the game as it reached its halfway point with the visitors trailing 50:48.
Maccabi started the second half with a 6:0 run to take the 54:50 lead, Holon reacted but Maccabi remained poised (58:55). Cohen increased Maccabi’s lead from the line (58:62) with just under three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Cohen made it 64:58 but Klein and Hamilton scored for Holon to within a striking distance (63:64), but a great team play allowed Cohen to score at the buzzer as Maccabi were up 63:66 with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
Both teams struggled to score at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Tyshawn Thomas was the first to score in the quarter but Segev reacted for the visitors who manage to increase their lead (65:70) after a successful fastbreak. Kane’s free throws made it 67:72 but Alexander reacted with a three point play (70:72) with just under six minutes remaining in the game. Cohen scored a three pointer to put the yellows ahead 70:75 forcing coach Shamir to call for a timeout, Jackson added a three of his own to make it 71:78 with three minutes remaining in the game, Hamilton and Alexander reacted for Holon (75:78) forcing coach Spahija to call for a timeout.
Holloway tied the game with a three pointer but Tyus connected with Roll as the visitors the 78:80 lead. Tyus connected again this time with Jackson as Maccabi increased their lead to 78:82 with 19.9 seconds remaining in the game. Holloway scored both free throws to make it 80:82, but Pierre increased it to 80:83 from the line with 13.6 seconds remaining. Holon scored their free throws but John-Di increased to 82:84, Holloway missed a three pointer and Roll sealed the 82:86 win from the line.
