Rishon took the lead early in the game and imposed their will throughout the game enroute of a home win. Wilbekin scored 17 for coach Giannis Sfairopoulos’ squad
Coach Sfairopoulos’ starting five: Wilbekin, Kane, Zoosman, O’Bryant and Tyus. Rishon were the first to score in the game but Maccabi reacted. Koulechov scored back to back threes to give the locals the 11:4 lead with 05:55 remaining in the first quarter. Stephens increased Rishon’s lead to 17:8 but Maccabi answered with an 8:0 run forcing coach Goodes to call for a timeout. Tishman finished the first quarter scoring from deep giving the locals the 20:16 lead.
Simpson started the second quarter completing a
three point play but Roll reacted with a mid-range jumper (23:18). Ariel’s three pointer completed a 12:0 run for Rishon who took the 35:18 lead. Zoosman and Scottie scored for Maccabi but Rishon managed to increase their lead to 51:25. O’Bryant and Wilbekin were the last to score in the first half as Maccabi trail 51:29.Rishon scored from the free throw line at the beginning of the second half but Zoosman answered from deep (52:32). Scottie scored back to back threes rejuvenating the squad in blue and yellow as they trimmed Rishon’s lead to 56:41. Coach Sfairopoulos’ squad tightened their defense and showed efficiency on the offensive end as well forcing coach Goodes to call for a timeout with the scoreboard showing 61:48. Koulechov and Simpson four points but Black
has the final say in the third quarter with Maccabi trailing 65:51.Rishon increased their lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter (68:51) as coach Sfairopoulos’ called for a timeout. Roll and Tyus resiliency brought Maccabi back to 74:61 with 06:00 remaining in the game. Stephens and Blazer made it 81:63 from which Maccabi could not recover as they lose 88:77 on the road ending their Israeli Cup quest.
