Nikola Vujcic and Jamie Arnold led Maccabi Tel Aviv to an 72-86 victory over Ironi Nahariya in the first leg of the state cup quarter finals.
Maccabi opened strong and ran to a 8-21 lead while Arnold and Halperin scoring all the points. Maccabi TA led at half-time 41-47 and Nahariya stayed close thanks to Juan Mendez sharp shooting.
The visitors came within three points in the fourth quarter, but a 10-0 run helped Maccabi Tel Aviv take a substantial lead and win by 14 points. The second leg is played next Sunday in Nahariya.
To Maccabi: Vujcic 19, Arnold 15, Halperin 12, Jasaitis 11, Bynum 9, Green 9, Shason 4, Eliyahu 4, Sharp 3. to Nahariya: Mendez 25, Gilchrist 12, Vukosic 9, Kuzikaro 8, Grir 6, Limonad 5, Ben David 5, Kukia 2.