By Amy Samin
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv defeated Maccabi Ashdod on the road in the final game of the regular Israeli Winner Sal season, 100-89. Devin Smith led six players in double figures with 23 points, Brian Randle (12 rebounds) and Sylven Landesberg each scored 15 points. Alex Tyus scored 14 points, Jeremy Pargo scored 12 points and made 11 assists, and Yogev Ohayon added 11 points and 7 assists.
Maccabi's starters were Brian Randle, Devin Smith, Alex Tyus, Jeremy Pargo, and Yogev Ohayon. Smith was on fire as the game got underway, with 3 of 3 from downtown to put Maccabi up 13-4 after three minutes. Tyus and Landesberg protected the yellows' lead through the middle of the quarter, when the hosts woke up and got into the game, closing to 23-20. Smith responded with his fourth triple, ending the period with Maccabi leading 29-23.
Ashdod stayed close at the start of the second quarter, with the score 37-34 after four minutes. Landesberg with a bucket and one, and four straight points by Ohayon increased Maccabi's lead to 44-36 halfway through the period. Landesberg from the left corner and the foul line, Randle with a reverse layup, and Smith put Maccabi up by eleven going into the break, 55-44.
Maccabi kept up the momentum at the start of the second half, as Tyus, Randle, Pargo, and Ohayon scored, putting the reigning Israeli champions' lead at 71-54 following a triple by team captain Ohayon after five minutes of action. The hosts didn't give up, cutting their deficit to ten, 75-65 heading into the final quarter.
Ashdod continued to chip away at the point difference, reaching 82-76 after four minutes. Tyus and Pargo put a stop to the home team's run and returned Maccabi's lead to double figures, 86-76 at the halfway mark. Jake Cohen with his first points in the game and Smith with his fifth three pointer wrapped things up, and Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv defeated Maccabi Ashdod 100-89.