Coach Spahija’s starting five: John-Di, Zoosman, Roll, Jonah and Art. Ashdod got the early 5:0 lead, the yellows reacted with a 6:0 run, Henry’s three gave Ashdod the 10:6 lead, John-Di brought Maccabi closer to the visitors as the scoreboard showed 12:11 with less than four minutes remaining in the first quarter. Bolden tied the game (15:15) but Levi scored four in a row to put Ashdod ahead 19:15. Maccabi finished the first quarter with a 6:0 run to take the 21:19 lead.

Maccabi continued their momentum as back to back threes by Thomas gave the yellows the 27:21 lead. Henry completed a 6:0 run by the visitors to tie the game (27:27). Both teams exchanged baskets as John-Di gave Maccabi the 34:33 lead with five minutes left in the first half, John-Di’s dime to Roll sparked a 9:0 run to put Maccabi ahead 43:35 with less than a minute remaining in the first half. Long scored for Ashdod but Roll had the final say in the second quarter as he scored a three pointer to finish the first half with the yellows leading 46:37.

Both teams opened the third quarter focused on the offensive end, Art and Roll scored to keep Ashdod at bay (54:46) with 06:30 remaining in the third quarter. Ashdod started biting down the yellows lead, but Thomas scored from distance to give the locals the 60:54 lead, Levi scored for Ashdod but Jonah completed the three point play, Thomas increased the yellows’ lead to 65:56, Lee and Long scored for Ashdod to finish the third quarter trailing 68:62.

Bolden scored from downtown at the beginning of the final period to give the yellows the 71:62 lead, Jonah scored again from distance to give the hosts the double digit lead 76:64, Long kept Ashdod in the game as the scoreboard showed 78:70 with just under six minutes remaining. Zoosman completed the three point play to put his team ahead in double digits (83:73). The visitors made another comeback attempt (83:78) however Tyus connected with Jackson for a thunderous dunk to put Ashdod’s hopes to an end, Jackson completed the three point play to give the yellows the 90:80 lead from which Ashdod never recovered.