Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv, opened the game strong but Ashdod managed to came back, clutch back to back threes (Cole and Jackson) and successful free throw by John-Di secured the 76:73 win in an eventful game
Coach Spahija’s starting five: Jackson, John-Di, Roll, Cohen and Art. Cohen and John-Di gave Maccabi the early 5:0 lead two minutes into the game, Art increased the yellows lead to 9:2, Ashdod reacted with an 11:0 run to take the 13:9 lead forcing coach Spahija to call for a timeout. John-Di scored five points as Maccabi regained its lead (14:13). Ashdod maintained its focus from previous minutes to finish the first quarter with the 19:16 lead.
Tyus completed a three point play at the beginning of the second quarter to tie the game at 19 apiece, Long reacted for Ashdod but John-Di tied the game again. Both teams struggled to score over the next few minutes with Ashdod being the first to capitalize as they took the 26:23 lead. John-Di continued scoring for the yellows cutting down Ashdod’s lead to within a striking distance (31:30). Ashdod called for a timeout from which they returned with a 4:0 run (35:30), Art completed a three point play as the yellows finished the first half trailing 35:33.
Jonah and Pierre scored for the yellows at the beginning of the third quarter to take the 38:37 lead, Chubrevich continued in his dominance in the paint tied the game, Tyus’ “Air Time” to give the yellows the 42:39 lead forcing coach Greenberg to call for a timeout. Ashdod remained poised enroute of taking the 44:42 lead. Cole scored for the yellows but Ashdod didn’t panic as they took the 50:44 lead completing the 11:2 run. Art and Jake took Ashdod’s lead down to just two points but Chubrevich reacted, Cole scored at the end of the third to send the teams to the decisive quarter with the yellows trailing 53:52.
Ashdod started the fourth with a 4:0 run (57:52), Ashdod increased their lead to 61:53 after coach Spahija got ejected due to two technical fouls called against him, both teams exchanged baskets (65:57) with six minutes left in the game forcing coach Goodes to call for a timeout. The yellows came back swinging with a 7:0 run (65:64), John-Di completed the yellow comeback striking from distance giving the yellows the 67:65 lead; Cohen continued the yellow run (12:0) from the free throw line as the scoreboard showed 69:65. Lee made it a one point game from the free throw line. Cole scored a clutch three to put Maccabi ahead 72:68, Ashdod reacted with a three pointer forcing coach Goodes to call for a timeout with 33 seconds remaining with the yellows ahead 72:71. Jackson scored from distance (75:71) Henry scored for Ashdod but John-Di secured the 76:73 win from the free throw line. Securing a 9th consecutive appearance in the Israeli Cup finals.
