Back On Track: Maccabi gets the 92:86 win over Ashdod

After losing the Israeli Cup finals, Spahija’s squad knew they had to bounce back and quick as they faced Ashdod for the second time in one week. Ashdod got the early lead but Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv managed to impose their will as they finished the first quarter with a lead that only grew as they got the 92:86 w against Ashdod just before Malaga on Thursday, Thomas scored 20P Bolden added 13.

Coach Spahija’s starting five: John-Di, Zoosman, Roll, Jonah and Art. Ashdod got the early 5:0 lead, the yellows reacted with a 6:0 run, Henry’s three gave Ashdod the 10:6 lead, John-Di brought Maccabi closer to the visitors as the scoreboard showed 12:11 with less than four minutes remaining in the first quarter. Bolden tied the game (15:15) but Levi scored four in a row to put Ashdod ahead 19:15. Maccabi finished the first quarter with a 6:0 run to take the 21:19 lead.

Maccabi continued their momentum as back to back threes by Thomas gave the yellows the 27:21 lead. Henry completed a 6:0 run by the visitors to tie the game (27:27). Both teams exchanged baskets as John-Di gave Maccabi the 34:33 lead with five minutes left in the first half, John-Di’s dime to Roll sparked a 9:0 run to put Maccabi ahead 43:35 with less than a minute remaining in the first half. Long scored for Ashdod but Roll had the final say in the second quarter as he scored a three pointer to finish the first half with the yellows leading 46:37.

Both teams opened the third quarter focused on the offensive end, Art and Roll scored to keep Ashdod at bay (54:46) with 06:30 remaining in the third quarter. Ashdod started biting down the yellows lead, but Thomas scored from distance to give the locals the 60:54 lead, Levi scored for Ashdod but Jonah completed the three point play, Thomas increased the yellows’ lead to 65:56, Lee and Long scored for Ashdod to finish the third quarter trailing 68:62.

Bolden scored from downtown at the beginning of the final period to give the yellows the 71:62 lead, Jonah scored again from distance to give the hosts the double digit lead 76:64, Long kept Ashdod in the game as the scoreboard showed 78:70 with just under six minutes remaining. Zoosman completed the three point play to put his team ahead in double digits (83:73). The visitors made another comeback attempt (83:78) however Tyus connected with Jackson for a thunderous dunk to put Ashdod’s hopes to an end, Jackson completed the three point play to give the yellows the 90:80 lead from which Ashdod never recovered.