Exploded: Maccabi defeated Hapoel Haifa 67: 104

The surprise of the season? Maccabi Tel Aviv was not so impressed when it met Hapoel Haifa tonight (Sunday) and simply defeated it lightly 67: 104 in front of the 900 spectators in Romema Hall as part of the 19th round of the Winner Basket League.

The Yellows of Yannis Sapropoulos completed a fifth victory of the season in all competitions over the Reds from Carmel as they improved their balance at the top to 17 wins alongside 3 individual losses. 7 players finished in double digits in the yellow celebration with above all, TJ Klein passionate with an impressive double-double (13 points and 11 rebounds).

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Haifa 67: 104

On the other hand, Elad Hussein’s team, which surprised some of the big teams this season, failed in its task in this match and recorded a second consecutive league loss when it was in sixth place with a balance of 10 wins alongside 7 losses. The only consolation in the Reds was the good ability of Keenan Evans who shelled out 20 points, but to stop him it was not enough to stop the champion.

Bender, Dibertolomao and Žižić (Omri Stein)Bender, Dibertolomao and Žižić (Omri Stein)

They scored for Maccabi Tel Aviv: TJ Klein 13 points and 11 rebounds, Sandy Cohen 12 points, Oz Blazer 12 points, Ante Zizic 12 points and 7 rebounds, Elijah Bryant 11 points, Scotty Wilbkin 10 points and 5 assists, John Dibertolomao 10 points and 5 rebounds, Chris Jones 9 points, Dragon Bender 6 points, Dori Sahar 5 points, Omri Caspi 4 points and 7 rebounds.

They scored for Hapoel Haifa: Keenan Evans 20 points, Karem Mashur 16 points, Rakim Buckles 9 points and 5 rebounds, Amit Simhon 7 points, Leonard Freeman 5 points and 5 rebounds, Jason Seagers 5 points, Ofek Avital 3 points ‘, Igor Nesterenko 2 pts.

First quarter: 22:24 to Maccabi Tel Aviv

Hapoel Haifa Quintet: Jason Seagers, Keenan Evans, Rocks Buckles, Amit Simhon, Leonard Freeman.

Maccabi Tel Aviv quintet: Elijah Bryant, Scotty Wilbkin, Omri Caspi, Oz Blazer, Ante Zizic.

The quarter opened with two points from Omri Caspi’s penalty line, Leonard Freeman countered with a successful layup. The Reds from Carmel started the game well when Rakim in Alex stitched a free three and raised his team to a 6-7 advantage. Scotty Wilbkin, on the other hand, warmed up the handle, was precise outside the arc and returned the advantage to the Yellows.

Hapoel Haifa fans (Omri Stein)Hapoel Haifa fans (Omri Stein)
Rocks Buckles (Omri Stein)Rocks Buckles (Omri Stein)

Later, the champion often lost balls and had a hard time in front of the defense of the host who took advantage of it and the penalty on the other side with points from Buckles and Evans. Towards the end of the quarter, Karem Mashur shelled out two consecutive threes that increased the advantage to 18:22 for the Reds, but in the last minute of the quarter they slowed down and allowed the Yellows to complete a 0: 6 run that sealed the half. 22:24 To Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Scotty Wilbkin kidnaps Igor Nesterenko (Omri Stein)Scotty Wilbkin kidnaps Igor Nesterenko (Omri Stein)
Omri Caspi (Omri Stein)Omri Caspi (Omri Stein)

Second quarter: 42:50 to Maccabi Tel Aviv

The second quarter opened with a layup by Chris Jones, Bender also added 2 points of his own as he was accurate from the arc and caused Elad Hussein to take a timeout. Back on the floor, the trend did not change and the Yellows continued to celebrate in color with points from Omri Caspi and Oz Blazer under the basket that opened up a double-digit advantage.

Amit Simhon vs. Sandy Cohen (Omri Stein)Amit Simhon vs. Sandy Cohen (Omri Stein)

After that, Hussein’s team recovered and did a great 0: 7 run that ended in a three by Amit Simhon that caused Yannis Sapropoulos to take a timeout. Towards the end of the quarter, the Reds often lost balls and had a hard time especially on the defensive rebound, which allowed the champion to widen the gap and sign the half. 42:50 To Maccabi Tel Aviv.

TJ Klein on the way to the basket (Omri Stein)TJ Klein on the way to the basket (Omri Stein)
Hapoel Haifa fans in a frenzy (Omri Stein)Hapoel Haifa fans in a frenzy (Omri Stein)

Third quarter: 54:80 to Maccabi Tel Aviv

The Reds did not advance to the second half, the champion took advantage of this on the way to a 0: 8 run in three minutes that caused Hussein to take a timeout. Back on the floor, the one who managed to stop the run was Leonard Freeman who was accurate from the arc, also Karem Mashur and Evans shelled two consecutive threes and reduced the gap to 13 points.

Keenan Evans passes Elijah Bryant (Omri Stein)Keenan Evans passes Elijah Bryant (Omri Stein)

Towards the end of the quarter, Ante Žižić continued to celebrate inside the point and frustrated Hussein who took a timeout to wake up his players. Towards the end of the quarter, Amit Simhon scored from the arc, but on the other side John Dibertolomao scored a 3-pointer and sealed the half. 54:80 To Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Elijah Bryant and Oz Blazer Celebrate (Omri Stein)Elijah Bryant and Oz Blazer Celebrate (Omri Stein)

Fourth quarter: 67: 104 to Maccabi Tel Aviv

Just as the third quarter ended, so did the final quarter when Dibertolomao shelled out another three and then added a layup as well and completed 5 points in a minute and a half. Later, Sadani Cohen also added a three of his own and went up to 8 personal points. The Reds looked bewildered until the long-awaited final whistle set 67: 104 To Maccabi Tel Aviv.

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