The yellows advance to the Israeli Cup semifinals after getting the prestigious win in the derby. Tyus (20), Roll (19), Jackson (18) and Cohen (16) led the scorers. On Tuesday: The derby arrives to the Menorah Mivtachim arena
Coach Spahija’s starting five: Jackson, Roll, Mashour, Bolden and Tyus. Bolden got into an early foul trouble and was replaced by Jake Cohen with Hapoel leading 4:2 two minutes into the game. Tyus Cohen and Jackson led a 10:2 run to gain the 14:6 lead which forced coach Franko to call for a timeout. Roll and Kane scored five points to increase the yellow lead to 19:10,
however Hapoel reacted and took down the lead to just four points, Cohen answered with a three pointer but Hapoel came close to within a striking distance as the first quarter ended with Maccabi having the 22:20 lead.Cohen was Maccabi’s main guy in the second quarter as well, but the hosts managed to complete their comeback as they took the 30:27 lead after a
three pointer by Banks, Roll scored (30:29) but Hapoel reacted (34:29). John-Di and Jackson tied the game at 34 apiece. Kane gave the 36:34 lead back to Maccabi, Jackson who was in the zone scored a three pointer to increase the lead to 45:38 at halftime.The yellows opened the second half by storm as they increased their lead to 50:38. Hapoel called for a timeout from which they came back with back to back threes to get closer to Maccabi (50:47). Roll completed a
three point play to cut short Hapoel’s comeback attempt. Cohen’s fourth three pointer of the night and his assist to Roll who finished with a layup made it 58:51 as the third quarter hit its halfway mark. Jackson and Tyus increased Maccabi’s lead to 62:51. Both teams struggled to score, however despite a mini run by the hosting team, Bolden managed to beat the buzzer after an offensive rebound with the yellows being ahead 72:60 with ten minutes left to play in the game.Tyus reached his
double double and Cole who scored his first points in the game gave Maccabi the 76:63 lead two minutes into the final quarter. Banks scored for Hapoel but Roll reacted immediately to keep Maccabi’s double digit lead. John-Di reached double digits in scoring (85:71) with five minutes left in the game. Tyus and Jackson who passed by Hapoel’s defense banked the 96:85 away win as Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv qualified to the Israeli Cup semifinals.
