Zoosman (7P & 4A) and Kane (8P & 2A) delivered a defensive clinic combining 10 steals enroute of an away win. Tarik Black was unstoppable with 18P and 7R
Coach Sfairopoulos’ starting five: Pargo, Kane, Zoosman, Cohen and Black. Maccabi found their offensive rhythm right from the tip-off taking the 6:11 lead. Ziv and Altit completed a 7:2 run to tie the game but it was only temporarily as Zoosman reacted from deep giving the visitors the 13:16 lead. John-Di and Johnny capitalized on an unsportsmanlike foul by Griffin to increase their lead to 15:23. Henry had the final say in the first quarter for the hosts who trail 17:23.
Naharya started the second quarter swinging coming all the way back to 27:28 forcing coach Sfairopoulos to call for a timeout. Misgav tried to keep the hosts close but Johnny and Cohen reacted for Maccabi keeping Naharya at bay (31:36). Naharya managed to complete a
mini comeback but Black’s three point play made sure Maccabi will have the 40:41 edge at halftime.Pargo was the first to score in the second half, the hosts kept their composure completing a 6:0 run (46:43) but Wilbekin and Kane came up big as they completed an 8:0 run for the visitors who took the 46:51 lead. Maccabi converted great defense into instant offense increasing their lead to 51:59 forcing coach Alfasi to call for a timeout. Maccabi’s dominance was unanswered as they ended the third quarter with the 57:66 lead.
Both teams traded blows at the beginning of the fourth quarter with neither one of the sides really being able to impose its will (66:75). The hosts tried to fight back but the squad of coach Sfairopoulos remained poised as they didn’t allow Naharya to get too close (73:80). Tarik scored to put Maccabi ahead in double digits from which Naharya couldn’t recover with the well-oiled machine from Tel Aviv securing the 77:87 win on the road.
