Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv defeated Rishon Lezion 95-89 in the Winner Sal Cup semifinal and advanced to the Final. Smith (9 rebounds) and Rochestie led Maccabi with 18 points each.
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By Amy Samin
In a flurry of three pointers (15 of 25), Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv defeated Rishon Lezion 95-89 in the Winner Sal Cup semifinal and advanced to the Final. Devin Smith (9 rebounds) and Taylor Rochestie led Maccabi with 18 points each, Trevor Mbakwe added 15 points, and Yogev Ohayon contributed 12 points and 7 assists.
Brian Randle, Devin Smith, Taylor Rochestie, Jordan Farmar, and Trevor Mbakwe started the game for Maccabi. Rochestie and Mbakwe combined to put Maccabi up 7-2 after two minutes, but Rishon responded quickly and had taken a 19-9 lead halfway through the period. Despite points by Ohayon, Rishon would not be stopped, and the quarter ended with Maccabi trailing 28-17.
Rishon extended their lead to 33-17 at the start of the second quarter, but Guy Pnini responded with a three from the corner. Zalmanson scored for Rishon in the paint, but a triple by Rochestie and points by Mbakwe narrowed the gap to 37-27 after five minutes. The momentum stayed with Maccabi, with tough defense by the yellows alongside four treys from Smith and Rochestie tying the score 45-45 going into halftime.
Rishon came back from the break and quickly claimed a six point lead, but Smith and Farmar drained a pair of threes to tie it back up. Rochestie and Farmar continued to score from downtown, and along with a nice alley oop by Randle put Maccabi’s lead at 63-53 five minutes into the second half. Rishon’s Ben Chimol scored four straight to get his team back in the game, but young Dragan Bender scored back to back threes for Maccabi, and the period ended with the yellows up 72-65.
Smith extended Maccabi’s lead as the fourth quarter got underway, but Rochestie was called for a technical and Rishon used the opportunity to pull within three, 75-72 after two minutes of action. Five straight by Ohayon put the momentum back on Maccabi’s side, 82-74. Rishon cut their deficit to five thanks to points by Ben Chimol midway through the period, but Smith and Pnini combined to put a lock on the 95-89 victory for Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv over Maccabi Rishon Lezion.
Boxscore
Smith 18 points, 9 rebounds; Rochestie 18 points; Mbakwe 15 points; Ohayon 12 points, 7 assists; Farmar 11 points; Pnini and Bender 6 points each; Randle 5 points; Faverani 4 points
