Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv came up short to Hapoel Tel Aviv 72:82 in the Shlomo Group Arena, which equaled the Israeli “Winner” League quarterfinal series at 1:1. The Yellow & Blue head back to Menora Mivtachim Arena for a crucial Game 3, as the winner will clinch a final four spot. Angelo Caloiaro led all Maccabi scorers with 14 points, Dorsey added 13, Zoosman (calf muscle injury) 12 points and Amar’e Stoudemire 11 points. 

Maccabi opened the game with Scottie Wilbekin, Yovel Zoosman, Deni Avdija, Angelo Caloiaro, and Othello Hunter in the starting five while Yam Madar, Sek Henry, Joaquin Szuchman, Tomer Ginat, and Talib Zanna on the other end.

Caloiaro found himself open twice under the basket for Maccabi’s first 4 points of the night, but on the other end, Henry scored three consecutive points, 4:5. Avdija dished a beautiful lob to Hunter who slammed it in, but Madar directed the reds to an 11:0 run scoring 4 points adding to that three assists, 6:16. 

Zoosman stopped the bleeding hitting a shot from behind the arc, and Wilbekin knocked in a three to cut Hapoel’s lead to single digits, 12:20. After a Karam Mashour three-pointer, Amar’e Stoudemire, Zoosman, and Wilbekin who scored on the buzzer led the Yellow & Blue to a 6:0 stretch to finish the first quarter, 18:23. 

Stoudemire heated up offensively, opening the quarter with six consecutive points for the visitors, 24:28. Madar hit a shot from deep that gave the Reds a 7 point advantage, but Jake Cohen answered with a three and a layup that cut the lead down to 2, 31:33. Zanna, Madar, and Jordan Davis kept the Reds on top with points from the free-throw line, 33:40.

Ginat drained a three that pushed the lead back to double digits, Zoosman scored two under the board after grabbing an offensive rebound, and Caloiaro poured a shot from behind the arc, 38:43. 7:25 to the end of the third, Scottie Wilbekin was ejected as Madar took advantage, scoring 5 points in one possession, which gave the Reds a 38:48 lead. 

Hunter and Caloiaro, who scored the final 5 points of the 10:0 run, reduced the hosts lead, 52:54. Ginat and Henry hit crucial three-pointers, as Stoudemire ended the quarter with two free throws, 56:60.

The Reds opened the quarter with 6 consecutive points regaining a double-digit advantage, Dorsey on the other end, hit one of two from the line, 57:66. Madar and Henry increased the lead up to 17, Dorsey tried to decrease the deficit, scoring 5 points in back to back possessions, 63:77. Ginat answered again from deep, sealing the deal, forcing a winner takes all Game 3. Hapoel beats Maccabi 82:72.